The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off one of their worst performances of the season on Wednesday night, getting dominated 121-92 by the Oklahoma City Thunder to fall to 8-4 on the year.
When Luka Doncic hit the podium postgame, it was inevitable he'd be asked about the Dallas Mavericks' recent decision to fire general manager Nico Harrison - the same executive who orchestrated the deal that sent Doncic to the Lakers last season in a shocking trade-deadline move. The decision reportedly created some tension between Doncic and Harrison at the time.
However, Doncic remained clear and professional when addressing the situation, making it known that his focus is entirely on his current team and not on the past.
"Dallas - fans, players - will always have a special place in my heart," Doncic said. "I thought I was going to stay there forever, but I didn't. They'll always be a special place for me. It's a place I can always call home. Right now, I'm focused on the Lakers and trying to move on."
Doncic was drafted in 2018 and spent roughly six and a half seasons with the Dallas Mavericks before being dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers in one of the most shocking trades in NBA history.
Harrison became the Mavericks' general manager in 2021 and didn't appear to be in danger of losing that position anytime soon - until he made the stunning decision to part ways with Doncic, who was the heart and soul of the franchise.
At the time of the trade, Doncic was coming off a season in which he led Dallas to the NBA Finals, was still just 25 years old, and had firmly established himself as an MVP-caliber talent year in and year out.
Nonetheless, Doncic is off to one of the best starts of his NBA career, currently averaging 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game.
Following the loss to the Thunder, he ultimately chose to take the high road, steering clear of any questions regarding Harrison's dismissal.
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