Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki was surprised by the franchise’s choice to commerce Luka Dončić. On Friday, in his first public feedback in regards to the blockbuster, throughout an look at 96.7 The Ticket’s Ticketstock occasion, Nowitzki stated that he was far, far faraway from the commerce discussions.
“After I noticed the information, I used to be truly all throughout on the opposite facet of the world,” Nowitzki stated (by way of YouTube person Chitown Hustler). “I used to be on trip with the household within the Maldives.”
Nowitzki stated that he and his household have been about to go to lunch when his cellphone began “blowing up left and proper,” at which level he checked out social media. It was 11:01 a.m. within the Maldives when he posted his response: a flushed face emoji.
“I believe I used to be as shocked and stunned as everyone was, and truly simply spent the subsequent hour sort of simply following the whole lot on social media, simply ensuring that is actual, that is occurring,” Nowitzki stated. “I used to be simply, I’d say, as in awe as everyone and as stunned as everyone was. And I used to be attempting to wrap my head round what was actually occurring. And yeah, simply actually could not imagine it. Could not imagine it that that is what occurred.”
Nowitzki was a Maverick for his complete 21-year profession. He stated, in line with The Stein Line’s Marc Stein, “I am positive [Dončić] needed to complete his profession like I did.”
When Dončić made his Los Angeles Lakers debut, Nowitzki was in attendance. Nowitzki stated that Dončić had requested him to be there.
“Clearly, Luka, we texted a bit, in fact,” Nowitzki stated. “I felt somewhat dissatisfied and unhappy for him. I believe he clearly did not see this coming. So he invited me to come back out to his first sport in LA and I felt like I needed to help him. I felt like, you understand, I performed with him my final season, we have gotten shut, I’ve tried to mentor him, I’ve tried to assist him as a lot as I can these previous few years and he is simply, he is a superb child. So I felt like I needed to go on the market and help him on this new chapter ‘trigger, you understand, I believe — I imply it was reported that he was fairly clearly down and dissatisfied at the way it went down, and so I needed to be there for him, I needed to be there for his household and present help.
“However, I imply, you guys noticed my face. It was bizarre. It was surreal to see him play for the Lakers. So on the finish of the day, I am going to by no means be a Lakers fan, however I am going to at all times be a Luka fan.”
As bizarre because it was to see Dončić “within the purple and gold,” Nowitzki stated it was good to be there for him.
“I used to be comfortable I did it,” Nowitzki stated. “I am comfortable I went to help him, and I believe, now, after a couple of weeks, I believe he is wanting ahead to the chance there. He is enjoying for one of many largest golf equipment on the earth, so I believe he is seeing the chance now. And clearly he must wrap his head round that, that he is with the Lakers now and he must clearly transfer ahead and do his factor on the market. All of us, in fact, want him nicely.”
In Dallas, there was backlash to each the commerce itself and the way in which the group has dealt with the fallout. Nowitzki expressed empathy for Anthony Davis and Max Christie, the gamers the Mavericks obtained from Los Angeles.
“I sort of really feel unhealthy about AD and Christie right here on this deal,” Nowitzki stated. “They’re each nice gamers, enjoyable to observe, and naturally they get all of it, they get the information they usually see it. And I simply hope they really feel welcome nonetheless and nonetheless be capable to clearly contribute right here to a superb crew.”
