When the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Dallas Mavericks on April 9, it’ll mean more than just a battle between two Western Conference teams fighting for playoff position as the regular season winds down.
This will mark Luka Dončić’s first game back in Dallas since the blockbuster February trade that sent him to the Lakers in exchange for star forward Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick. The deal has been heavily criticized, with many arguing the Mavericks didn’t get a fair return for a player of Dončić’s caliber.
While support for the trade is rare, some point to Davis’ inclusion on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team and his status as a future Hall of Famer as justification.
Despite the awkwardness surrounding the situation, the Mavericks had planned to honor Dončić with a pregame tribute.
Luka Dončić’s Savage Move Nixes Mavs’ Tribute and Kills Sponsor Deals
Tributes for returning players have become routine in the NBA — especially for a five-time All-NBA player like Dončić — but when tensions linger, things can go sideways. An ESPN report outlines Dončić’s unwillingness to participate in the Mavericks’ plan.
“The franchise plans to play a tribute video for Dončić,” McMahon said.
“Providing fans in the arena a final opportunity to savor all of his accomplishments in a Mavs uniform — and mourn not getting more. The Mavs had also lined up lucrative sponsorship deals for Wednesday’s game, with multiple companies that Dončić endorses, but those deals fell apart after Dončić’s camp declined to give its blessing, pointedly noting that he now plays for the Lakers.”
“They got what they deserved,” commented one fan.
They got what they deserved
— Tyler Herro Muse ☆ (@danhurleyuconn) April 9, 2025
Another fan believes Dončić is bitter toward the Mavericks, which guarantees an epic revenge game tonight against his former team.
Safe to say he’s a little bit bitter. You can safely bet the farm on LAL tonight
— Justin (@Justin__NC) April 9, 2025
One fan says the Mavericks are simply trying to “save face” after the franchise originally turned its back on Dončić.
Doing this after you turned your back on him just to try and save face 😭😭😭😭
— 𝔹𝕠𝕝𝕨𝕣𝕝𝕕 (@BolWrld) April 9, 2025
Another user accused Mavericks ownership of grifting and trying to profit from a trade they orchestrated behind the scenes.
Mavs ownership trying to grift off of someone they trade away 💀 pic.twitter.com/9u6FwU5gim
— Slick (@AlexzanderSlick) April 9, 2025
The Lakers (48-31) currently sit third in the Western Conference, while the Mavericks (38-41) are tenth. Both teams are on track to make the playoffs, but the Lakers’ chances at a deep run have surged since Dončić joined the roster. Just two games separate the Lakers from the eighth-place Timberwolves (46-33), while Dallas trails the ninth-place Kings by a single game.
The NBA Play-In Tournament runs April 15–18, and the First Round of the playoffs tips off April 19.