Luka Doncic addressed the firing of former Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison following the Los Angeles Lakers’ 121-92 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. Harrison, who orchestrated the controversial trade that sent Doncic to the Lakers in February, was dismissed by Dallas on Tuesday. The move came amid continued backlash over the deal that shockingly sent Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick.
“The city of Dallas, the fans, the players, they’ll always have a special place in my heart,” Doncic said. “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.”
Doncic was asked whether he could envision one day returning to the Mavericks now that his former franchise has parted ways with Harrison.
“Right now, I’m just focused on the Lakers,” said Doncic. “No further comments.”
Doncic signed a three-year, $165 million extension with the Lakers in August. Doncic can sign a potential five-year, $417 million extension with the Lakers in 2028. Doncic was expected to sign a five-year, $345 million supermax contract with the Mavericks, but Harrison was against the concept and is believed to have factored into his decision to trade him.