The NBA world was set on fire last season with the blockbuster three-team trade between the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Utah Jazz that most notably saw Anthony Davis sent to Dallas and Luka Dončić sent to Los Angeles. 

Dončić had just led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals and, in his time with Dallas, had netted a Rookie of the Year award and five All-Star selections. By any account, Dončić should have been the face of the Mavericks for years to come, if not his entire career, and yet, he came to the Lakers all the same. 

The backlash was legendary, with most of the blame laid on Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison. Fast forward to this season, Dončić is playing at an MVP level, averaging 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game. The Lakers have started the season a solid 7-4, while the Mavericks are just 3-9, and Anthony Davis has been sidelined with a calf strain.

The lackluster start to the Dallas season has proven to be the straw that broke the camel's back, and Harrison was fired by Mavericks ownership on Nov. 11.

When asked about his former GM's firing after the Lakers' loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, Dončić reflected on the events over the past year that have shaken both his career and the league as a whole.

Luka Shows Love

 "The City of Dallas, the fans, players, will always have a special place in my heart. I thought I was going to stay there forever, but I didn't," Dončić said (via Khobi Price). "They'll always be a special place for me. Always I can call it home. But, right now I'm focused on the Lakers and trying to move on, but, obviously, always [there's] going to be a part of me there. But, just trying to move on." 

Dončić notably didn't mention Harrison at all during his comment, instead focusing on the fans that made his experience with the Mavericks so special.

What the Future Holds for Luka and the Lakers

It is undoubtedly the biggest trade in recent NBA memory and will have a long-lasting impact on the future of two NBA franchises. For the Mavericks, they've been deprived of their franchise player, something they'll be trying to replicate with number one overall pick Cooper Flagg, and are currently on a downward spiral in the win column.

For the Lakers, they have gained another in a long list of iconic superstars that have worn the purple and gold, and could see their success multiply over the years.

There's been a concerted effort to build around Dončić with the addition of players like Deandre Ayton, and LeBron James now has the ability to play alongside another incredible guard, possibly the most talented teammate he's ever had in his two-plus decade-long career. 

As Dončić said, his focus is on the Lakers now, and when all is said and done, he could be remembered for his time in Los Angeles than he ever was with the team that had drafted him.