One of the most stunning moments of the 2024–25 NBA season came when Luka Doncic was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas. The move not only shocked fans across the league, but also marked one of the most seismic trades in recent NBA history.
Mavericks forward Naji Marshall, who joined the team midway through the season and played only briefly alongside Doncic, opened up about the emotional impact of the deal during a recent appearance on The Young Man and The Three podcast. While he acknowledged the business side of the league, Marshall admitted the trade hit him hard.
“I mean, I understood that, like, business is business as far as the NBA, but I was hurt, man. Luka’s my dawg, for real. And I love AD. That’s my guy right there. Like, he’s been great with us. You know, he welcomed us with open arms. Like, that’s my guy,” Marshall said.
“But just personally, I was hurt to lose Luka, man,” he added. “It was a great time spent with him, even if it was short. Luka is just the chillest guy ever, bro. You feel like his best friend from day one. He’s just a great dude. Never mad, always smiling. And when it comes to basketball, he’s just a Hall of Fame flamethrower.”
Could anyone be better than Doncic?
While Doncic’s impact is undeniable and he’s widely regarded as one of the best players on the planet, rising phenom Cooper Flagg stirred conversation recently with a bold claim. Despite not yet signing with a team, Flagg is expected to go No. 1 overall in the upcoming NBA Draft—a pick currently held by the Mavericks. And when asked who he believes is the best player in the league right now, his answer turned heads.
“Best player in the NBA right now? Joker,” Flagg said, referring to Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić. “I mean, he does so much, he impacts winning in so many different ways.” While many anticipated Flagg would name Dončić, especially with Dallas in position to draft him, his admiration for Jokić’s all-around brilliance was clear.
Luka’s legacy in Dallas
For years, Doncic was the heart and soul of the Mavericks—a generational talent who carried the team deep into playoff contention and earned global admiration for his unique skill set. His departure signals a dramatic turning point for the franchise, with Dallas now shifting to a win-now mindset behind Davis and general manager Nico Harrison’s bold new vision. Whether Doncic adds a new chapter in Los Angeles or not, his legacy in Dallas is already cemented.