New heartbreaking Luka Doncic trade detail proves he was meant to be a Maverick

It has been almost eight months since the Luka Doncic trade, and the NBA world is still in shock that the Dallas Mavericks traded one of their cornerstone pieces. The organization has yet to provide a clear answer for the trade that will make sense to fans, but it was suspected that Doncic's work habits and lack of defense forced Nico Harrison to pull the plug.

However, whatever the reason may be, it's clear that the trade is something Doncic may never get over. In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal (subscription required), the former Maverick discussed the infamous trade. The deal was a blindside move that conflicted with the Lakers' star.

"I didn't know how to react, how to act, what to say," Doncic said. "It was a lot of shock. I felt Dallas was my home, I had many friends there. The fans always supported me. I didn't want to upset Dallas fans. And I didn't want to upset Laker fans."

Luka Doncic was thinking of Mavs fans even after the trade

Doncic was thinking of Mavericks fans even after he had just been traded by Dallas in the most ruthless way possible. The fans obviously weren't responsible for the trade, but the fact that they were at the forefront of his mind shows how special Dallas was to him.

The Wall Street Journal further outlined Doncic's reaction as someone who "lost his luggage." The news outlet explained how he was stunned and confused. It was a move no one saw coming, not even Doncic. His reaction perpetuates the idea that the deal was a job done by management, as no one on the outside was involved.

One person not involved in the trade was Mark Cuban. Earlier this month, Cuban jumped on the "All-In Podcast" to discuss his view of the trade, among other things. He stated that the people involved in the infamous trade didn't want him there. It was a move that still frustrates him to this day.

It was even reported that Cuban tried to stop the trade. Marc Stein reported that Cuban tried to stop Harrison from trading Doncic, but by the time he reached the organization, it was too late. A verbal handshake had already been settled.

So, Doncic wasn't the only one blindsided by the trade. Yet, he was the one most affected by the Mavs' actions. If you recall, Doncic expressed his true feelings back in February when the trade went down. During his first press conference with the Lakers, he didn't hold back when he discussed the move. In simple terms, he was supposed to be a Maverick for life.

Doncic outlined in the conference that it was his belief that he would finish his "whole career there. " The word "loyalty" even got brought up, something Doncic described as a sizeable word. His reaction details the shock felt around the world. The words echoed from Doncic further brought pain and suffering to fans mourning their former star.

Yet, it's obvious Doncic, too, was in grief. His recent comments about not wanting to frustrate Mavs fans show his connection to the organization. During his press conference, he also stated that the move was a surprise to him and "a big shock." He even had to double-check his phone for clarity.

Simply, the recent and past comments suggest Doncic was supposed to be a Maverick for life. His words and actions highlight the reality that the move was never supposed to happen. It's possible to imagine scenarios where Cuban might still be in charge or Doncic would be in a Mavs uniform. However, the reality is that Doncic is gone, but the discussion of his connection to Dallas will never stop.