The Season That Got Luka Doncic Traded From Dallas

In 2024, Luca Donish was regarded as the best player in the world. He averaged a near 34 point triple double, scored 73 points in a game, and dismantled a loaded Western Conference on route to a finals run worthy of one of the greats. I mean, look at this maneuvers for the lead. Got it. What a shot. Dallas has taken the lead. The Dawn was untouchable. Or so we thought. Just 7 months after carrying his team to the finals, Dallas shipped Luca to LA in the most baffling trade the sport has ever seen. What the man accomplished in 2024 should have made him a maverick for life. He poured blood, sweat, and tears into that run, getting right on the cusp of achieving the ultimate goal. Despite falling short, it felt like the start of something special in Dallas. But instead, it's a run that will forever be remembered by what transpired afterwards. This is the season that got Luca Donic traded from the Dallas Mavericks. Harrison Barnes made one in Memphis last year right before Thanksgiving. >> Indeed. >> Got it. >> THERE IN THE CORNER. LUCA GOES IN. HOW DID HE DO IT? HOW DID HE DO IT? That is Luca Magic. Hitting a shot like this just two months into his NBA career foreshadowed the type of superstar Luca Donuch was destined to become. The staggering scoring numbers, all-around offensive wizardry, and clutch gene that resulted in many more gamewinners over the following years had Luca labeled as a once-in-a-lifetime talent with real all-time great potential. However, with the lack of a supporting cast, Donich was only able to carry Dallas so far. In 2020, the kid was dynamite, but they lose to a loaded Clippers team in round one. 2021 was more of Luca's individual brilliance that came to a halt against the Clippers in round one. Come 2022, he finally broke through, knocking out the number one seated Suns in shocking fashion before ultimately falling to the eventual champions in the conference finals. It was a massive step forward, one that was followed by two steps back. Dallas completely fell off in 2023, resulting in a desperate trade for Kyrie Irving at the deadline. But it wasn't enough. Missing the playoffs for the first time in 3 years. The season was nothing short of disastrous. And labeled as one of the best players in the world, there comes a certain expectation. Championships. To be five seasons into his career without ever getting close, the pressure was beginning to mount. Not even being in the postseason is unacceptable. You know, Luca was fuming. entering 2024 with something to prove. And when you got an all-time great with a chip on his shoulder, you're guaranteed to see some magic. Luca magic in the shot clock. 4 seconds. GOT IT FROM CLEBA AGAIN. LATE IN THE CLOCK in desperation, he is Luca Magic right there. >> Luca has done this to many teams this year. What? What? What? What a pass. His heels outside. WHAT A PASS. WASHINGTON. OH, >> here's the NBA heart. There's been a lot of games. Here's the step back for a new Maverick record. And now Dallas in transition. Look inside. It goes. It's a basket AND A FOUL ALL THE WAY TO THE HOOP. SCOOP to the HOOP WITH A FOUL. POINT 71 AND 72. Donic >> the step back three. Luca Donic is a bad man. >> The 2024 regular season was a video game for the Dawn, becoming a firsttime scoring champion with nearly 34 points a night on top of nine boards, about 10 dimes, and a steal per game. It's one of the greatest statistical seasons ever, one that peaked on January 26th. Four years to the day after Kobe's passing, Dodis put up the second highest scoring performance since Bryant's 81 in 2006, dropping a mind-boggling 7310-7 stat line on a flaming hot 25 for 33 shooting. The historical numbers on top of the Mavericks reaching the 50 win mark should be worthy of Luca's first career MVP, but the winner won't be announced until the second round of the playoffs. And there's a great chance the Mavericks will make it there. With some key acquisitions at the trade deadline, Dallas's supporting cast fits around Luca like a glove as they went 16 and4 over their final 20 games of the season. As dark horses for the title, the Mavericks are catching fire at the perfect time. Let the games begin. From the city of angels, we welcome you to the NBA playoffs. 54 matchup in the Western Conference. The Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers. And now the Mavs are looking for revenge. For the third time in five seasons, it was the Clippers who await the Mavericks in round one. And even with Kawawaii battling injuries, they still proved to be a formidable foe, smacking Dallas by 12 to take game one. Not an ideal start to a hopeful title run, but the Dawn wasn't rattled. In game two, he explodes for over half his team's points with 12 in the first quarter, and he'd keep it rolling in the second half. At the midpoint of the third, he runs a high screen and roll, slightly bobbles the ball, corrals it, and snipes a wet step back three over Zubots. It was nasty. Donich's dominance, however, had no effect on the Clippers as they kept the game tied entering crunch time. And I mean, for Dallas, the winning strategy is pretty clear. Just give the ball to Luca. >> Donic gets into it quickly, lines it up. Luca Donic is lethal. Back in Irving deep one got him. Donic gets the step on Westerrom. Donic to the corner. Washington PJ Washington. Caboom. Donic. Five to shoot against Harden. Donic lines it up. It goes. He is that guy. >> 90 to 81. >> Dodic dismantled LA down the stretch in any way he wanted while delivering some heartfelt messages to the crowd. He'd finish the night with a light 32 points, six boards, and nine dimes as Dallas gets the muchneeded split headed home. And home is where things took a turn. After a collision with Westbrook in the first quarter of game three, Luca is seen grabbing his right knee and slumping over the scorer's table in serious pain. He'd tough it out and play 40 plus minutes the rest of the night to close out the win, but he clearly wasn't himself. Let's hope it isn't too serious. Hobbled in game four, Donic dropped a 29point triple double. Not bad, right? But the efficiency that we've seen from him all year wasn't there. Going 10 for 24 from the field and a lowly 1 for9 from three as the Clippers not up the series at two. Now on the cusp of a pivotal game five that can very well decide this series. Luca spoke pregame about his injury, stating that it's a sprained knee that he likely wouldn't be playing on during the regular season, but says he's willing to do anything to help the team win. This is what leaders do, and he showed out. That California Air had the dawn looking spry as he put the entire arsenal on display with 357 and 10 on an efficient 54% shooting. This is the Luca we're used to seeing. Fighting through injury and willing his team to a 32 series lead at home. To close things out, Luca and Kyrie flex their offensive bags as they combined to score 58 points to put the Clippers to bed. Dallas has finally gotten past LA, but it's just one step towards the ultimate goal. Round two is brewing a storm and lightning is about to strike. In round two, for just the second time in his career, Dodic had the new Kings of the West standing in his path. The top-seated 57 win OKC Thunder boasting a plethora of young talent. with Shea Gilgis Alexander at the helm. These kids aren't supposed to be this good this fast. And they caught the Mavericks by surprise. A 22point OKC blood bath had the Maverick's ears ringing. That is until an announcement made everything silent. On May 8th, just a day after game one, the league announced that the 2024 NBA most valuable player is Nicola Joic. Our boy Luca finished third behind the Joker and Shay with just four first place votes. The result had fans in an uproar as the award continues to elude Luca, becoming the first player in history to average 37-7 on a 50- win team and not win the MVP. It's baffling, but currently in the middle of a war, he can't let this distract him. In fact, I think it motivated him. From the tip in game two, the man was unconscious, lacing a pure catch and shoot three. He then yanks the ball back like a yo-yo on Giddy for a third straight field goal before tickling the twine on another from deep as he bounces on that left leg. When you see Donic doing that, you know it's good. Which means you know this one's cash. >> Thunder step back. Donic three. Hit it. Dun with four threes, >> 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists in the first quarter. Safe to say the dude was motivated, finishing the night with 29 10-7, and three steals to tie the series at one. Bad news though, late in that game two win, Luca got tangled with Kase Wallace, spraining his left ankle. That on top of the right knee injury had Donic questionable entering game three. But displaying his toughness once again, he was going to play for the team. And in return, he got a couple helping hands. PJ Washington erupted for 27 points and six boards while Kyrie dropped 225 and seven to squeeze out a four-point win for Dallas. Game four, however, wasn't as forgiving. With a chance to go up 3-1, Luca struggled mightily, scoring just 18 points on 6 for20 from the field and an abysmal 2 for9 from three. Those knee and ankle injuries were clearly having effects on his shooting stroke. All while he watched in anguish as his peer cooked up for 348 and5 to tie up the series at two. Now headed to OKC, the top-seated Thunder had all the momentum on their side, entering this decisive game five. And coming off his worst outing of the postseason with all the pressure shifting onto him, Luca disappeared and the boogeyman took over. >> Trying to pop it in. Lively clears. Donic laces a three. Lively again trying to set a screen. Step back. Donic. He buries it. Give and go. Extra feed. Major highlight for Lively. Break opportunity. SGA. Blocked by Donic. Irving taps it back. Donic. Kaboom. It's a three. Major bounce back by the Dallas Mavericks. They defeat the Thunder in OKC to take a 3-2 lead in the series. 104 to 92 the final >> through injuries and yet another pivotal game five in this postseason. The Dawn showed out snatching OKC soul while trash talking anyone who would make eye contact with him on his way to a 31point triple double to take this series by the throat. Fresh off his best game against OKC, Luca was set for a duel with Shay in game six as he snapped for a third consecutive triple double with 2910 and 10 while number two dazzled for 36 points and seven assists with an eighth dime to chat on this monster throwdown putting OKC up one with 20 seconds to go. Back the other way, Dantage finds Washington in the corner who gets fouled by SGAA on his three-point attempt. He makes two of three free throws and that'll do it as Dallas pulls out the series win by the skin of their teeth. This was pure grit. With the injuries to Luca and the challenge of facing the top seed in the West, Dallas could have folded. Nobody would have blamed them. But instead, they rallied. A testament to how special this team truly is as they're making their return to the Western Conference Finals. Ah, yes. The Minnesota Timberwolves, home to the number one defense in the association. Fresh off of defeating the defending champions in a shocking game seven with another young star coming for Luca's spot in the hierarchy. The Dawn though was quick to remind the world he wasn't no joker. And don't forget he's got Uncle Drew by his side. Edwards the line jump into the paint. Count it. Foul Irving through traffic. Knife for two. Foul coming in for Dallas. Thank you. He leaves the puts one up and over. Irving McDaniels is on him. Kyrie. Shot clock at seven. Luca will make a move. Lets it rip. Donic puts it in. Four-point Dallas lead. Donic fakes. Bast. fires. Big shot. >> This may just be the most offensively gifted backcourt we've ever seen. It's simply absurd what these guys can do with the ball in their hands. Kyrie reigned down 30 points, five boards, and four dimes. While Luca did his thing with 336 and eight, in which 15 of those points were in a clutch fourth quarter. Dallas steals game one on the road. Game two was another Luca takeover through three quarters pouring in 278 and 8. Then suddenly in the fourth it was radio silence. Donic went 0 for two in the quarter with just two points coming from the free throw line. It was uncharacteristic with Dallas finding themselves down to with possession in just 12 seconds remaining. With Luca likely a little cold, do you go with Kyrie in this situation is jumping up in front. Donic has the ball down by two. There's the switch out there. Donic maneuvers for the Got it. Got it. What a shot. Dallas has taken the lead. >> But it ain't over yet. 3 seconds is a long time and it's only a one-point lead here. Rick Donic in front. It's off to Edwards setting up three. The Mavericks go up two games to none. and Donic with the gamewinner. >> So he can't effing guard you, huh? >> Sorry, he can't effing guard you. >> Who said that? >> You said that. >> I didn't say that. >> I was speaking Slovenian. After going quiet the majority of the fourth quarter, the Dawn hits the loudest shot of the night, making Go Bear do the twostep before stepping back to the right for the gohead three. Straight hating on Rudy with an emphatic, "You can't guard me." It's no surprise. We've seen it his whole career. Luca delivers in these moments. But maybe no bigger moment than this as the Mavericks sit just two games away from the NBA Finals. Back in Dallas, it was the Luca and Kyrie show combining for 66 points, 21 of those coming in the fourth, but the daggers were thrown in the final minute. On the defensive end, Gaffford rejects Connley on a monster swat. and back the other way. Luca rewards him for that effort >> against Goar. Tailed by McDaniel up high down hard and a foul dagger. >> It was a deafening lob that had the American Airlines Center shaking as they watched their team take a stunning 300 lead. The opportunity to sweep though would pass them by as Ann and the Wolves finally get a win. And despite still being up 3-1, that loss had Luca pissed. He was about to snap. >> Welcome to the Western Conference Finals and good evening from Minneapolis. It's a second straight closeout game for the Dallas Mavericks who have won twice here in Minneapolis already in this series with another one. Dodic creeping his way inside with an easy shot. Agility out of the big DI and Edwards 14 for Luca and Morocco. What is going on here? >> Again, another three. Got it. He's on flame floor. >> He is on fire. 20 points. I swear not a single one of Luca's shots hit the rim in that first quarter, pouring in 20 points with numerous 30foot missiles, which essentially put the game away. The rest of the night saw Donic slowly torture Minnesota's fan base, taunting the crowd after every single bucket. Snoop cannot believe how cold this man is. A dominant 3610 and5 performance earns Luca the Western Conference Finals MVP. But more importantly, Dallas is headed back to the finals for the first time since Durk in 2011. Luca is fulfilling the prophecy with a title that's beginning to feel inevitable. Luca Donic is in the NBA finals, a stage where legacies have been defined and legends are immortalized. Now, one of the games greats has finally arrived with the path to immortality leading straight through Boston. The Tatum and Brown Celtics have been on the cusp of a title for over half a decade. And entering these finals with an absolute juggernaut of a roster, it seems like it's finally their time. But Luca is hoping to make them wait a little bit longer. Game one, however, turned out to be a sick twisted joke for Donic, who saw his former teammate Chrisaps Porzingis come off the bench and light the court on fire. an inferno that burnt the Mavericks all night long, losing game one by 18. Like he has all postseason though, the Dawn responded in a major way, giving Boston front row seats to a shot making masterclass as he poured in 23 points in the first half, including this sweet no look behind the back dish to Derrick Jones Jr. Despite all of this, Dallas still found themselves down three. There was no answer outside of Luca, who posted 32, 111 and 11. Kyrie struggled. Boston flexed their depth as the Mavericks go down 02 for the first time this postseason. Staring down the barrel of a potential 03 series deficit, game three was a whirlwind. After being up one at half, the Mavericks find themselves down 15 entering the fourth, which is where Luca completely imploded, committing four fouls in the quarter while incessantly complaining to the officials. And on his sixth foul of the game, he tries to draw a charge on Brown. It's called a blocking foul. He immediately barks at the refs, then screams at his bench to challenge the play. They do. The call stands and Luca is forced to the bench as he watches his team go down 03. It was flatout embarrassing. Postgame, every outlet and media personality you can think of turned on Luca, calling him an entitled, immature, flatout lazy defender. It was an insane shift by the media who had been praising him as the best player in the world just a few weeks ago. But if we're being honest, the backlash was deserved. Dantage in the Maps would bounce back in game four, blasting the Celtics by 38. But by that point, it was too late. Just a few days later at the TD Garden, Luca was showered in white and green confetti as the buzzer went off, signaling a heartbreaking end to one of the greatest individual playoff runs in history. But hey, Luca's only 25. Every superstar loses before they win. He and the Mavericks will learn from this. With a roster built to contend for years to come, there's no doubt they'll be back. Except there's just one thing we weren't aware of in this moment. That this was it. I had amazing moments in Dallas. It was home. I thought I was going to spend my whole career there. So, you can imagine how surprised I was. >> Breaking news. The Lakers and Mavericks making it a blockbuster night. >> This is the most stunning trade in NBA history. I'm told the Dallas Mavericks called the Los Angeles Lakers and offered Luca Dodic. >> He had to put out another tweet saying, "Yes, this is real. Lucadic headed to the Lakers. >> 77 in blue is all I thought I would ever see. >> We went to the NBA finals. Why are we trading the best player, the franchise player? He's supposed to have a statue. >> Hell yeah. >> He's supposed to have a statue.