Luka Doncic will return to Dallas on April 9 as a Los Angeles Laker, following a shocking late-night trade. The Mavs will first face the Lakers in L.A. on Feb. 25.
DALLAS — Circle your calendar, Mavericks fans: April 9 is the day Luka Doncic will return to the American Airlines Center — as a Los Angeles Laker.
Yes, you read that right. Doncic was traded to the Lakers on Saturday night, as most of North Texas was dozing off to sleep.
The Mavericks play the Lakers on Feb. 25 in a game broadcast on TNT — but that’s a road game, and it’s not yet clear if Doncic will be back from his ongoing calf strain injury. But April 9 is when the Lakers make their next trip to Dallas, and barring a setback, Doncic will likely be suiting up in the purple and gold for that one.
And for Mavericks fans, it will be a bizarre and unfortunate sight: One of the two greatest players in franchise history, at his peak, playing for another team.
Tip-off for the April 9 game is set for 6:30 p.m., and it’ll air on WFAA, KFAA and ESPN. The Mavericks and Lakers won’t meet again after that unless it’s in the playoffs.
Doncic was shockingly traded to the Lakers in a blockbuster deal that broke late Saturday night. Dallas is also sending Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to Los Angeles in the deal, and the Lakers are sending back Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a future first-round pick.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future.”
MacMahon also reported on some frustrations the Mavericks reportedly had with Doncic, saying the team had “major concerns about moving forward” with Doncic “due to his constant conditioning issues,” along with an upcoming supermax contract extension he’ll be due to sign this summer.