In a move that sent shockwaves through the NBA, Luka Doncic, the Slovenian superstar and one of the league’s brightest talents, was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 2, 2025. The trade, which saw the Mavericks acquire Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future first-round pick in return, left fans, analysts, and even Doncic himself reeling. A recent post by Bleacher Report on April 18, 2025, brought renewed attention to the emotional toll the trade took on Doncic, revealing that he threw and broke his phone upon hearing the news—a damaged iPhone he still carries as a memento of that fateful night. What followed has been a rollercoaster of emotions for Doncic, from heartbreak in Dallas to a newfound hope in Los Angeles, a journey that has captivated the basketball world.
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A Shocking Departure from Dallas
Luka Doncic had been the heart and soul of the Dallas Mavericks since being drafted in 2018. Over the years, he transformed the franchise, leading them to the NBA Finals in the 2023-2024 season and earning the adoration of fans who saw him as the successor to Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki. Doncic’s loyalty to Dallas was unwavering—he had recently purchased a home in the city and expressed a desire to finish his career there. “One team, one city forever,” was how ESPN’s Shams Charania described Doncic’s mindset during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. So, when news broke of his trade to the Lakers, the reaction was seismic.
The Bleacher Report post, accompanied by an image of Doncic in his Mavericks jersey juxtaposed with his cracked iPhone, captured the raw emotion of that moment. According to ESPN’s Malika Andrews, who interviewed Doncic and his manager Lara Beth Seager, the 26-year-old was in disbelief when he received the call on February 1, 2025. “It’s April 1,” he reportedly said, hoping it was a cruel prank. When the reality sank in, Doncic’s frustration boiled over—he threw his phone, chipping a piece off the top and cracking the back. “Sadness, mostly,” Doncic told Andrews when asked about his feelings. “I was still in shock, like, crazy shock. I felt like my heart was broken, honestly.”
Mavericks fans shared his sentiment. Protests erupted outside the team’s arena, with some fans even holding a symbolic funeral to mourn Doncic’s departure. Chants of “Fire Nico!”—directed at Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who orchestrated the trade—echoed through the streets of Dallas. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, speaking on The Pat McAfee Show on April 17, 2025, acknowledged the fans’ frustration. “I get the fan’s passion. I understand why Dallas Mavericks fans are so upset,” Silver said, noting the team’s struggles post-trade, including injuries to Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. Yet, Silver also defended the Mavericks’ decision, stating that Harrison and the team’s new ownership believed it was in the organization’s best interest.
An Emotional Return to Dallas
Doncic’s first game back in Dallas as a Laker on April 10, 2025, was a spectacle of emotions. The Mavericks honored their former star with a tribute video during pregame introductions, a montage of highlights that showcased why he had become a beloved figure in the city. As the video played, Doncic couldn’t hold back tears. “After that video, I was, like, ‘There’s no way I’m playing this game,’” he told ESPN’s Lisa Salters post-game. “It was so many emotions.”
But play he did—and dominate he did. Doncic dropped 45 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a 112-97 victory that clinched a playoff spot for the Lakers. Fans in the arena, many wearing Doncic’s No. 77 jerseys (from Mavericks, Slovenia, and now Lakers editions), erupted with every basket, even as they grappled with the bittersweet reality of cheering for the opposition. Some wore T-shirts with the Slovenian phrase “Hvala za vse” (Thank you for everything), while others vented their frustration with “Fire Nico!” chants aimed at Harrison, who stood in a midcourt tunnel during the game.
The performance was historic. According to ESPN Research, Doncic joined Wilt Chamberlain as the second player in NBA history to score at least 45 points both for and against the same team in the same season. For Mavericks fans, it was a painful reminder of what they had lost. For Doncic, it marked a turning point. “It’s time to move on,” he told Salters after the game, signaling his readiness to embrace his new chapter with the Lakers.
A New Beginning in Los Angeles
Despite the initial shock and heartbreak, Doncic has begun to find his footing in Los Angeles. The Lakers, a franchise known for treating its stars like Hollywood icons, have embraced Doncic as the new face of the team in a post-LeBron James era. On the court, he has rediscovered his rhythm, as evidenced by his 45-point outburst in Dallas. Off the court, he’s growing accustomed to the glitz and glamour of L.A. “I think he’s loving his time in L.A., I think he’s loving the Lakers,” Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show. “You think about what the Lakers brand is, it’s treating stars like stars. It’s Hollywood, it’s making the star players bigger than life.”
Doncic’s loyalty, a core tenet of his identity, appears to be shifting to his new team. On April 18, 2025, The Hoop Central reported that Doncic expressed a desire to stay with the Lakers long-term, a sentiment that has excited Lakers fans and added fuel to the league’s late-season surge in viewership. NBA Commissioner Silver, speaking on the same day, credited the trade with boosting ratings. “A trade that attracted a lot of attention… generated a lot of interest,” Silver told The Dunk Central. The Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, beginning April 19, 2025, promises to draw massive audiences as Doncic takes center stage.
The Broken Phone: A Symbol of Resilience
The cracked iPhone Doncic still carries serves as a poignant symbol of his journey. It’s a reminder of the night his world turned upside down, but also of his resilience in the face of adversity. “Yeah, it still works,” Doncic told Andrews with a hint of pride. Fans on X have reacted to the story with a mix of humor and empathy.
@M.S wrote, “Luka really said ‘I’m keeping this phone as a reminder’ That’s some next-level sentimental attachment!” Meanwhile,
@HaydenWheatley noted, “Athletes are humans too! ,” highlighting the universal emotions at play.
For Mavericks fans, the trade remains a sore spot.
@H00DIEGALLO tweeted, “Nico Harrison will answer for this one day,” accompanied by a meme expressing frustration. Others, like
@CookedByPayne, speculated on Doncic’s feelings: “You can just tell he didn’t want to go to LA.” Yet, as Doncic settles into his new reality, it’s clear he’s determined to make the most of it. “It is counterintuitive, but this was the night when Doncic became a Laker,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon wrote of his return game in Dallas. “His team totally was devoted to uplifting him and protecting him and rallying around him.”
Looking Ahead
As the Lakers gear up for the playoffs, Doncic’s journey is far from over. The trade that broke his heart—and his phone—has set the stage for a new chapter in his career. While Mavericks fans may never fully forgive Nico Harrison, Doncic appears ready to carve out a legacy in Los Angeles. The cracked iPhone he still uses is a testament to the pain of the past, but also to the hope of what lies ahead. As he told ESPN, “It’s time to move on.” For Luka Doncic, the future is bright—purple and gold.