Luka Doncic just ended Mavericks return pipe dream with bold Lakers declaration

Ever since the dreadful day that the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Mavs fans have dreamed about getting him back to Dallas. Mavs fans' hopes of Doncic returning one day intensified during his emotional return to Dallas, as he clearly still loves the city and the fans, but this pipe dream may have to wait a while.

Doncic recently made it clear that he wants to remain in Los Angeles for years to come by showing them the same loyalty that he showed the Mavericks before they traded him away on February 1. Even after Jeanie Buss sold the team, Doncic made it clear he has no plans of leaving the Lakers next summer as he has a player option.

"The Lakers are an amazing organization," Doncic wrote. "I’m looking forward to meeting Mark and excited about the future. I am also grateful to Jeanie and the Buss family for welcoming me to LA, and I’m happy that Jeanie will continue to be involved. I look forward to working with both of them to win championships!"

Mavericks fans crushed as Doncic clearly signals Lakers commitment

As always, Doncic made it clear that he wants to win a title, and all signs are pointing to him wanting to do that in Los Angeles. Doncic felt a sense of loyalty toward the Lakers in the middle of last season, even though he hadn't been there that long, and a new contract with Los Angeles would keep him there for years to come.

Usually, a player who is due a contract extension with a team wouldn't post a message like this, as they would be jockeying as hard as they can for leverage, but not Doncic. He is showing the Lakers and their fans that he is all in, and that was one irreplaceable quality about him that Mavs fans will never forget.

Mavs fans understand that a new era will soon begin with Cooper Flagg at the center of it, and while Flagg's arrival next week will help heal the wounds that were left by the Doncic trade, fans will always want Doncic to return to Dallas.

Many things would likely have to happen before Doncic even considered returning to the Mavs, likely including them firing Nico Harrison since he is the one who orchestrated the trade, and a move like this would thrill Mavs fans even if it was extremely far down the line. Doncic gave his heart to Dallas in the six and a half seasons he played with the Mavs, and he wanted to win a title for this city and fan base badly.

It was never about the individual awards for Doncic.

It was always about trying as hard as he could to bring the Mavericks a title, and now it seems like he is bringing that same loyal championship mindset to the Lakers. Doncic wants to win a title in Los Angeles, and regardless of Buss selling the team, he wants to remain with the Lakers and finish what he started this year.

He seems to want to keep his Lakers legacy going for the time being, and Mavs fans who want him back are likely going to have to wait a very long time for that to even be a possibility. Doncic was heartbroken by the way he was traded by Harrison and the Mavericks, but maybe that piece of his heart that came out during the Mavericks' tribute video for him in April and caused him to cry will bring him back before he ends his NBA career.