Luka Doncic returns to Dallas Wednesday in shocking Lakers homecoming
The basketball world is still reeling from one of the most unexpected trades in NBA history. Mavericks GM Nico Harrison stunned fans and analysts alike when he shipped superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers before the 2024-25 trade deadline.
Dallas received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick in return.
The deal raised eyebrows across the league, with many questioning why Dallas didn’t shop their franchise cornerstone for better offers. Harrison apparently kept negotiations strictly between the Mavs and Lakers, limiting their potential return for the five-time All-Star.
Now, the moment Mavs fans have been dreading is here. Doncic returns to American Airlines Arena on Wednesday, April 9, wearing purple and gold.
Ticket prices have skyrocketed as fans scramble to witness the 26-year-old’s emotional homecoming.
The cheapest seats available on StubHub start at $215 – and those are way up in the nosebleeds (section 333, Row G). Fans wanting a closer view in the 100 level will need to shell out between $571 and a whopping $4,995.
Doncic’s departure came just months after he carried the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season. The trade blindsided the Slovenian superstar, who had given seven years of his career to Dallas.
When explaining the shocking move, Harrison pointed to defensive concerns and worries about Doncic’s conditioning potentially leading to future injuries.
“The next time the Dallas Mavericks play a basketball game, it will be versus Luka Dončić at the American Airlines Center,” tweeted MavsMuse. “Get ready.”
Doncic hasn’t missed a beat with his new team. In 25 games with the Lakers, he’s putting up impressive numbers – 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
Los Angeles has thrived with Doncic in the lineup, currently sitting third in the Western Conference with just four games remaining in the regular season.
Despite the messy breakup, many Dallas fans still hold Doncic in high regard. Wednesday’s reception will be fascinating to watch – will he be greeted with cheers, boos, or a complicated mixture of both?
The bigger question might be how Doncic himself responds in his first game back on the court where he became a superstar. Will emotions affect his play, or will he put on a show for his former fans?
Either way, Wednesday night promises to be one of the most electric atmospheres in the NBA this season.
