Luka Doncic has all the love for Mavericks fans after the firing of Nico Harrison.
After Harrison was sent packing by Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont, Doncic commented on the dismissal by sharing some love for his supporters in Dallas.
“Just, the city of Dallas, the fans, the players, they’ll always have a special place in my heart,” Doncic said when asked to comment on Harrison’s ouster. “I thought I was going to stay there forever, but I didn’t. So, that will always be a special place for me. I will always call it home. But right now, I’m focused on the Lakers and trying to move on. But, obviously, always there will be a part of me there. But just trying to move on and focus on what I’m doing here.”
Luka Doncic has all the love for Mavericks fans. AFP via Getty Images
Mavericks fans were in outright revolt after Doncic was traded by Harrison to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round pick.
Fans protested outside American Airlines Arena, chanted “Fire Nico” at every opportunity – both at Mavericks games and even at college contests –– and some were even ejected from Dallas home games for anti-Harrison signs.
The Mavericks not-so-subtly leaked to the media that the shocking trade no one saw coming was mostly due to Doncic’s poor conditioning and bad diet.
Doncic mostly took the high road in those discussions, refusing to get into a back-and-forth in the media with his former team.
Things have been mostly roses for the Lakers in Hollywood since the trade.
Nico Harrison was fired 9 months after trading Luka Doncic. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Lakers had a tough playoff out last year in round one, but have since built out a new roster headlined by Doncic and filled with better shooting.
Even with LeBron James sitting out to start the season due to sciatica, the Lakers are 8-4, led by Doncic and running mate Austin Reaves.
James has begun preparation for the season and should be back in the coming weeks.
Davis, meanwhile, has been injured throughout his tenure in Dallas as the Mavericks also immediately lost Kyrie Irving to a torn ACL after the Doncic trade.
The big man has played in 14 of a possible 44 games for the Mavericks/
The Mavericks are 3-9 in the early season despite adding No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg.