Not Lakers, Luka Doncic Confirms Loyalty to One Thing as Private Meeting With Mavs Legend Unearths

Just seven months old, a little boy in Ljubljana, Slovenia,  first touched basketball. Fumbling and trotting, that baby became the youngest MVP in the EuroLeague in 2018. That 18-year-old soon left his home and friends and settled in Dallas. His hope and vision? To make it to the pinnacle of basketball: the NBA. Did he succeed? Oh, his name is Luka Doncic, so figure out the rest of the story!

Dallas, the only home the boy had ever known, pushed him out earlier this February. But the reasons behind this sudden trade sound strange even to this day. Nico Harrison, the GM of the Mavericks, claimed injury, conditioning, weight, and drinking problems. Honestly, it feels like there’s more to it that someone hasn’t revealed yet. Yet, for Luka, some things haven’t changed.

Luka Doncic speaks about loyalty in latest conversation

In a recent interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, the 26-year-old Lakers #77 spoke about loyalty. But before that, let’s give the Mavs Nation a gut-wrenching message. So, Andrews asked Doncic if he intended to end his career with the Dallas Mavericks. “Of course. It’s an easy question,” he said without a moment’s hesitation. Was he following Dirk Nowitzki’s path until the front office drove him away? It looks like it.

However, surprisingly enough, the magician’s loyalty doesn’t lie with the Los Angeles Lakers, nor does it lie with the Mavericks. What? People in the NBA often throw around words like loyalty, Luka, and family, but he truly takes them to heart and lives by them. So, Malika Andrews threw a tough question at him. She asked, “Did what happened change the way you think about the NBA as a business and how people talk about those things?” 

“I mean, maybe a little bit. But I would say that’s a big word for me,” Luka Doncic clarified. Many fans of the league would say that these days NBA has been all about business. And to some extent, Doncic sees it, why. However, for him, the term ‘loyalty’ is a big deal. He added, “When I was in Madrid, I kind of learned that loyalty is a big part of the team. It’s a big thing to say now. It’s a big word to say now. Obviously, the NBA is a big business. You’ve got trades everywhere. But my loyalty is to basketball.“

Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Could you call it a very European mentality? This loyalty, I mean. Yes, maybe. Well, you have players like Stephen Curry playing for the Golden State Warriors for the last 16 years. But there’s something about these European talents that walk into the NBA wearing loyalty as their greatest badge of honor.

Take Nowitzki for example, he spent 21 years with the Mavericks, he won the championship with them in 2011. And he has his statue epitomizing devotion outside the AAC. “Loyalty Never Fades Away,” 21 characters summarizing his journey with Dallas. Luka Doncic was to have a statue beside Dirk too, but well, that didn’t happen. Odd turn of events, that’s all you could call this.

Meanwhile, Doncic shared the conversation he had with Dirk after the big night at the American Airlines Center on April 9. His homecoming, an emotional rollercoaster ride that he took with tears, fire, and a smile.

Luka Doncic shares insights on special dinner with Mavs legend after 45-point game vs. the Mavericks

No one has forgotten the look on Luka Doncic’s face with the jumbotron played that tribute video on April 9. “Fire Nico!” blared in the arena, and Dirk Nowitzki sat in the crowd watching his former teammate and dear friend feel pumped in his 45-point game night vs. his former home. Was it an emotional day? Well, is that even a question?

So, Malika Andrews asked the 26-year-old guard about his meeting with Nowitzki after the game. They had dinner together, therefore, he surely must’ve said something about the superstar’s performance. Doncic recalled the day and said, “Well, first, the same thing. I don’t know how I did it. I could have never, but I think he could, obviously. But then we just didn’t talk about basketball anymore.”

Credit: IMAGN IMAGES

Luka Doncic humbly downplayed his big night in Dallas, praising Dirk as the true legend. What meant more was their quiet dinner afterward, where they talked about life, not basketball — a moment that showed their deep bond and shared respect.

Dallas closed the chapter, but Luka never lost the plot. He lit up the court, then found peace at a quiet table with Dirk. No stats, just soul. Because, loyalty? He doesn’t wear it. He is it. Basketball means everything to him, and it shows out loud.

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