When the Dallas Mavericks dealt Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a move that sent shockwaves through the league, Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers admitted he was stunned. Speaking ahead of the Bucks’ game against Anthony Davis and the Mavericks, Rivers reflected on his reaction to the blockbuster trade. He also stood up for Myles Turner, who faced criticism from Indiana Pacers fans after departing in free agency, and opened up about the challenges that come with being traded in the NBA.
Nov 7, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts in the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Rivers, who once ran the floor as an NBA point guard before moving to the sidelines as a head coach, spoke about how the trade likely stunned both Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis, saying the two appeared genuinely blindsided by the blockbuster deal, via ClutchPoints’ Joey Mistretta.
“I was really disappointed when I was traded, there was nothing like that. I mean, I came back to 17 people cheering for me… So no, I have never seen anything like (the Mavs fans’ reaction to the Luka trade). It was awesome, though, for Luka, you know… It was obviously bad for people here (in Dallas), but you make deals you got to live with. Listen, we make decisions all through our lives and whether they’re good or bad, you just got to live with them,” said the Bucks head coach.
Doc Rivers on the Luka to the Lakers trade
Aug 6, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (77) talks to Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers after an NBA basketball game Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. at HP Field House. The Clippers won 126-111. Mandatory Credit: Ashley Landis/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Rivers admitted that when he first heard about the blockbuster trade between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, he thought it was generated by artificial intelligence. He said he was genuinely shocked to learn the news was real.
Having gone through the business side of the league himself, Rivers recalled being traded twice during his playing career, first from the Atlanta Hawks to the Los Angeles Clippers in 1991 and later from the Clippers to the New York Knicks next season.
Apr 1, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts in the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Rivers began his professional playing career with the Atlanta Hawks, spending eight seasons there from 1983 to 1991. In 2013, he became part of one of the most unusual moves in NBA history when the Boston Celtics traded him as a head coach to the Los Angeles Clippers.