Luka Doncic still shocked Mavericks traded him away to Lakers

It seems Doncic is still processing the emotions of being traded.

Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka introduces guard Luka Doncic at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Dallas Mavericks fans are still dealing with the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and brought Anthony Davis to Dallas. The trade came out of nowhere and was instantly called the most shocking trade in NBA history by many who cover the sport. Fans have led protests outside of American Airlines Center, and something crazy is bound to happen on Saturday, the Mavs' first home game since the trade happened.

But the fans aren't the only ones going through this process. Players like Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Daniel Gafford have been very vocal about how they've been processing the emotions and what they can do to step up in the locker room, and Doncic himself is still dealing with the shock of it.

TNT's Jared Greenberg reported on Thursday during the broadcast of the Lakers/Warriors game that "From people who were with [Doncic] yesterday, as the Lakers took part in a non-contact practice with Luka, they said he still looked like he was in shock. Coaches are giving him his space, giving him the opportunity to get acclimated with his new city, with his new teammates, and to the shock value of the fact that he got traded."

READ MORE: Dallas Mavericks named loser of trade between Luka Doncic and Lakers

Dallas Mavericks power forward Anthony Davis (3) talks to his teammates during a break in the action against the Boston Celtics in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

Neither big piece of the trade has yet to play, as Anthony Davis has missed the last week with an abdominal strain, and Doncic has been out since Christmas with a calf strain. The initial plan was for both players to make their debuts on Saturday for their new respective teams.

That will still be the case for Anthony Davis, who said in his introductory press conference that he plans to play on Saturday against the Houston Rockets. Doncic's debut has been pushed back to Monday against the Utah Jazz. He's going through 5-on-5 work with the Lakers for the first time on Friday, and they likely want more time to get him acclimated.

Recapping the Mavericks' Trade Deadline

Mavericks Receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, Caleb Martin, 2029 Lakers First-Round Pick, 2030 Second-Round Pick (team unclarified as of now)

Lakers Receive: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris

Utah Jazz Receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Mavericks Second-Round Pick, 2025 Clippers Second-Round Pick

Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Quentin Grimes, 2025 76ers Second-Round Pick

READ MORE: Anthony Davis 'understands' fans' emotions after Luka Doncic-Lakers trade, ready to 'give life back' to Dallas

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