Former Mavericks Coach Protests Luka Doncic Trade to Lakers

The NBA community remains stunned by the Dallas Mavericks' decision to trade 25-year-old star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move widely criticized for its lackluster return and perceived poor management. Former Mavericks head coach and Hall of Famer Don Nelson has been a vocal critic, publicly protesting the trade by wearing Doncic's signature Jordan Brand sneakers during the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony. Nelson, who coached the Mavericks from 1997 to 2005 and whose son Donnie Nelson was the GM when Dallas acquired Doncic, emphasized his philosophy of building teams around generational players rather than trading them away, citing lessons from legendary coach Red Auerbach. Despite some fan anger easing after Dallas secured the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Nelson remains disappointed, viewing the trade as a betrayal of the franchise's legacy. Nelson’s protest highlights the broader debate on how NBA teams handle superstar talent, with many agreeing that the Mavericks erred in trading Doncic. Doncic, now with the Lakers, has shown respect for the franchise’s history, including financially supporting the restoration of a Kobe Bryant mural in Los Angeles, further endearing himself to his new community.