Davis, Doncic Pen Heartfelt Farewell Messages to Former Teams

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

It has been three days since the biggest NBA trade of the decade, and all of the hoops enthusiasts are still stunned.

Luka Doncic is now the new face of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise, and Anthony Davis is headed to the Dallas Mavericks.

No matter how many times you refreshed your social media pages, the trade happened. It was real. Doncic will be wearing the purple and gold threads, while Davis will have to get used to lacing up a white and blue colorway of his Nike PE.

Doncic was the first to post a tribute message to the Dallas organization after spending his first seven years with the Mavericks.

Drafted as the third overall pick during the 2018 NBA draft but was acquired via a pick swap from the Atlanta Hawks, Doncic quickly cemented his name as the future of the league.

Dazzling, captivating, and crafty with his offensive approach, Doncic brought a new flavor to the NBA and showcased his deep scoring bag. He can do it all with the rock. He can shoot from way out of downtown, is an efficient slasher, and is an architect in drawing fouls to get to the charity stripe.

As a 25-year-old young superstar, Doncic already has established himself as one of the greatest NBA players. He helped the Mavericks reach the finals last season and is a five-time All-NBA First Team member.

However, an unexpected sequence of events changed his future plans with the Dallas organization after Nico Harrison, the president of basketball operations and general manager of the Mavericks, traded him for Davis.

“Seven years ago, I came here as a teenager to pursue my dream of playing basketball at the highest level. I thought I’d spend my career here and I wanted so badly to bring you a championship. Dallas is a special place, and Mavs fans are special fans. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart,” wrote Doncic on his official Instagram account.

On the other hand, debate sparked that Davis’ statements saying that he wanted to go back to his natural position, which is the power forward spot, triggered Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka to open the possibility of trading him.

Last month, Davis aired bold statements and said: “I think we need another big. I feel like I’ve always been at my best when I’ve been a four and having a big out there. We know it worked when we won a championship with JaVale and Dwight, them at the five and I’m at the four.”

However, the Lakers failed to negotiate with the other teams to bring another frontcourt player to backstop Davis.

Now, Davis will be pairing with Kyrie Irving, one of the most exciting point guards the NBA has ever seen, and can revert to playing at the four spot with Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford as their centers.

Davis will be departing the Lakers franchise as an NBA champion during the 2020 season, an NBA Cup champion, and a two-time All-NBA Defensive First Team member.

“6 years ago, I came here with the vision to win a championship, and I will never forget the moment we did! The business of basketball is a business just like all other businesses. I am grateful to the city where my first ring came from, grew my family and friendships and I will always have a home here. LA will always have a special place in my heart. Every great story has an exciting next chapter. Dallas, here we come!” posted Davis.