Basketball Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki says he felt "a little disappointed and sad" for Luka Doncic after the Dallas Mavericks abruptly traded their franchise star to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that shocked the NBA.
"I think he obviously didn't see this coming," said Germany's Nowitzki, the 2007 NBA Most Valuable Player who earned NBA Finals MVP honors leading the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA title.
Speaking at 96.7 The Ticket radio's Ticketstock event, Nowitzki said he had attended Doncic's Lakers debut at the 25-year-old Slovenian's invitation.
"I felt like I had to support him," said Nowitzki, who played all of his 21 NBA seasons in Dallas and maintains a role with the Mavs as a special adviser.
"I played with him my last season, we've gotten close. I've tried to mentor him, I've tried to help him as much as I can these last few years and he's just, he's a good kid.
"It was surreal to see him play for the Lakers," Nowitzki added. "At the end of the day I'll never be a Lakers fan but I'll also be a Luka fan."
Nowitzki said that after the shock of the trade, which sent star power forward Anthony Davis to the Mavericks, he believes Doncic is now "looking forward to the opportunity" of playing alongside LeBron James with the Lakers, a club that has won 17 NBA titles.
"He's playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world," Nowitzki said, "so I think he's seeing the opportunity now."
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