Luka Dončić’s trade from the Dallas Mavericks didn’t sit well with Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson. The latter earlier made headlines when he chose to wear the Los Angeles Lakers star’s shoes as a sign of protest.
Nelson was seen sporting a pair of the Slovenian guard’s Jordan sneakers to show support for Dončić, whom he called “my dear friend” when he arrived for the news conference that announced him as the recipient of the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award. His gesture did not go unnoticed as Dončić responded soon after.
Luka Dončić Sends Wholesome Message To Don Nelson
Taking to his Instagram stories soon after, Dončić shared the picture of Nelson wearing the kicks and captioned it, “Congratulations Coach! Nice shoes!”
The mercurial guard’s trade to the Lakers for superstar Anthony Davis stunned the NBA world earlier this year. In a move that no one saw coming, the Purple and Gold pulled off a trade that changed the landscape of the NBA for the years to come.
“I’m wearing Luka’s new shoes from Nike and I’m wearing them in protest for the trade from Dallas. I think it was a tremendous mistake by the Dallas franchise to trade him”
– Don Nelsonpic.twitter.com/iw6lu28sW9
— Showtime Luka (@showtimeluka) June 8, 2025
During his speech, Nelson made it clear that he wore Dončić’s shoes as a sign of protest for the trade from the Mavericks. “As a matter of fact, I want everybody to know I’m wearing Luka’s shoes, his new shoes from Nike that just got on the market,” Nelson said. “I’m wearing them in protest for the trade from Dallas. Tremendous mistake by the Dallas franchise to trade him and I want everybody to know that.”
Nelson’s words don’t come as a surprise. He coached Dallas for eight seasons. His son, Donnie was an executive with the franchise from 2005-21. As for the 5-time NBA All-Star, the attention now shifts to his future with the Lakers where he will look to lead the side to a championship in what will be his first full season with LeBron James and Co.
Dončić’s first season with the Lakers was impressive as the team finished third in the regular season standings with a 50-32 record. James, Dončić, and first-year head coach JJ Redick were crucial in the team’s impressive run with the likes of Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent all playing their roles well to help LA make the playoffs comfortably.
Despite the solid regular season run, the Lakers were trounced 4-1 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. After an abrupt end to their successful season, the front office have already begun looking at options to bolster their center department. Both James and Dončić are expected to return for the upcoming season as the summer promises to a trade-filled one.