The morning after the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Dončić, fans gathered outside American Airlines Center to protest the move.
They brought signs declaring their Mavericks fandom dead and laid flowers near the statue of franchise icon Dirk Nowitzki. A few fans even held a mock funeral, carrying a coffin to the south plaza as Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again” played in the background.
Three dudes brought a coffin to American Airlines Center. They’re playing “See You Again.”
“Rest in peace to the Mavs.” pic.twitter.com/0Ndv26vGyb
— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) February 2, 2025
In the two-plus months since the trade, fan protests have come in many forms. Some Mavericks fans have chosen to don purple and gold Los Angeles Lakers gear inside American Airlines Center, an act that would have been unthinkable before Feb. 1.
At the Mavericks’ most recent home game on April 2, The Athletic spotted six Mavericks fans in the lower bowl who were wearing Dončić’s No. 77 Lakers jersey. Ahead of Dončić’s return to Dallas on Wednesday, The Athletic asked these fans how they’ve processed the Mavericks’ decision to trade a player Dallas fans had developed a deep connection with and who, only eight months before he was moved, led the Mavericks to an NBA Finals run.
Still signing them Mavs jerseys. Pure class.
pic.twitter.com/pAnLSi5off— Showtime Luka (@showtimeluka) February 20, 2025
Here’s what they said:
Helina Hailu, 24 years old, model
“I remember exactly where I was. I was sitting on my bed. It was 11 at night. For some reason, I couldn’t sleep that night. I checked my phone. It showed the Shams (Charania) tweet. I was like, ‘No.’ My phone was blowing up. No one believed it. I don’t think I went to sleep that night. I was up until the next morning. I still don’t believe it two months later. It’s so sad.
“I had to get a Luka Lakers jersey because I’m going to forever support him. He did a lot for us, the franchise. He didn’t deserve what happened to him. He will forever have my support.”
Kelly Blair, 41, education technology designer
“We were season-ticket holders but are not season-ticket holders anymore because of the way they handled the trade. It just felt like dirty business. I think (Dončić) handled himself really well. He stayed above board at all times. He’s gone. All he did was play really good basketball.”
Chancellor Rose, 29, sales
“I was pretty upset. I thought it was not real. I thought someone was messing with me. It is what it is, I guess. I went through the seven stages of grief. I had to pull up the grief chart and figure out where I was. I’m through it now.
“I’ll still be a Mavs fan, but now I’m also more of a Lakers fan. I’m going to keep following Luka. I’ve got to support my player. It’s like a subtle protest. I’m not going to protest outside the stadium. But show support for the guy I like.”
Brett Price, 30, marketing
“I’ve been a Mavs fan for a long time. Honestly, I was mad for a while. I was a Dirk fan forever. I’m a big franchise player guy. I don’t even follow sports too much, but I would always come to a game and watch Dirk all the time. Everyone followed him. In college, that was our thing.
“We liked to go out and watch Luka play. It stinks. I don’t want to throw hate and shade at everyone who made the decision. I know it was a business move. I don’t hate they made the trade, but I’m bummed. I’m bummed as a Mavericks fan … but I want to support Luka.”
Jake Kemp, 39, talk show host
“I don’t know that there’s going to be a moment where it’s over and it’s processed and there’s closure. Maybe April 9 will help a little bit. I’m sad about it. I’m sad about it as a sports fan. I’m sad about it, as silly as this sounds, as a father. I have two young kids. I didn’t plan on forcing sports on them by any means, but if it’s something they have an interest in, it’s something I’d like to share with them. If you have a generational, exciting NBA player in your backyard, it certainly makes it a lot easier to get into sports. I think it sucks for the city, and it’s a very unfortunate series of events.
“Watching (Dončić) play basketball brings me joy. It brings other people joy. I like the feeling when I watch him play. The fact that his bosses decided they no longer wanted to work with him — I think this is a unique situation. Following the player is not only acceptable. It’s logical.
“I grew up hating the Lakers like every Mavericks fan did. But I won’t forget the feeling — and, unfortunately, I had the feeling — when I had the purple and gold on. You look in the mirror and you’re like, ‘Oh my God. This is a cool jersey.’ ”
(Top photo: Adam Hagy / NBAE via Getty Images)
