Every NBA fan has seen Luka Doncic's emotions after being traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis.
But the latest example truly encapsulates the intensity the former Mavericks superstar had upon hearing the news.
In a sit-down interview with ESPN's Malika Andrews, Doncic revealed that he threw his phone in frustration when he found out he was traded from Dallas.
Doncic was the cornerstone of the Mavericks, becoming their star franchise player with multiple MVP-level seasons. He brought them to two Western Finals appearances, including last season, where they appeared in the Finals for the first time since their 2011 title run.
The trade still remains one of the most perplexing in NBA history, dishing out one of the best younger players in the league for an injury-prone veteran. Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison justified this trade by saying the team wanted a more defensive-oriented unit to compete for a championship...while dishing out the star that got them the closest they've been in over a decade.
"I keep saying the same thing, but defense wins championships. I believe that we have a championship-caliber team, not only for now but also for the future," Harrison said in his closed-door meeting Tuesday with reporters. "Obviously, the future will hold if I’m right or wrong. And ultimately, we’re going to be held to the standard of wins and losses."
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Los Angeles opens up as the favorites against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, starting Saturday evening. Meanwhile, the Mavericks fight for their playoff lives Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament.
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