Don Nelson Protests Luka Doncic Trade at Award

Don Nelson, a Hall of Fame coach renowned for his innovative NBA strategies, has received the 2025 Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Basketball Coaches Association. Nelson, second all-time in NBA coaching wins with 1,335, was recognized for pioneering up-tempo, three-point-oriented play and 'small ball' tactics. At the award ceremony, Nelson wore Luka Doncic's signature shoes to protest the Dallas Mavericks' recent controversial trade of Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, calling the move a major mistake and emphasizing that generational talents should not be traded. Nelson's strong reaction reflects his deep ties to Dallas, where he coached and where his son Donnie held a front-office role. Despite his disappointment over the trade, Nelson expressed gratitude for the honor and cited Chuck Daly's influence on his philosophy. Nelson's legacy extends from five NBA titles as a player to a transformative impact on coaching and team management.