Luka Doncic cuts ties with Dallas Mavericks as LeBron James' new teammate makes major social media move

Things have moved fast in the NBA world since Luka Doncic was traded to the LA Lakers in a blockbuster deal on Saturday. A few hours after the deal was reported by insider Shams Charania, Doncic — who will now become LeBron James' new running mate after Anthony Davis exited LA as part of the deal — made his own headline-worthy move on social media.

Netizens on Instagram noticed that the five-time All-Star unfollowed the Dallas Mavericks, his old team, on Instagram.

In an era where social media activity is as palpable as face-to-face interactions, Doncic's decision to unfollow the Mavs sends a clear message about his feelings regarding the trade.

Back in 2018, the Mavericks traded down two spots in the NBA Draft to select the Slovenian guard, opting not to go with dynamic Oklahoma State scorer Trae Young. At the time, Doncic was viewed as the centerpiece of Dallas' rebuilding process.

During his time with Dallas, Doncic earned Rookie of the Year, made five All-Star appearances, and was named to five All-NBA teams, among other honors. The pinnacle of his Mavs stint came in 2024 when he won the scoring title and led the team to the NBA Finals.

Though Doncic never won a championship in Dallas, he has firmly cemented his legacy as one of the most accomplished players in Mavericks history.

---

Luka Doncic trade leaves Mavericks legend speechless

The blockbuster trade involving Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis has drawn a variety of reactions from netizens. One of them, a reputed Mavericks player in his own right, couldn't even muster the words to express how he felt.

Shortly after news of the Doncic-Davis deal broke, Dallas icon Dirk Nowitzki went on X to convey his response: a simple emoji showing a shocked expression:

Nowitzki, who played for 21 years in the NBA, called it a career after the 2018-19 season — the same season in which Luka Doncic won Rookie of the Year.

​