NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has publicly applauded Luka Doncic for the way the All-Star guard managed the stunning February 2025 trade that sent him from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Commissioner weighs in months after the deal
Speaking with The Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Gay, Silver said the blockbuster was “a bit of a kick in the ass” for Doncic but credited the 26-year-old for refusing to hide his disappointment and ultimately turning the setback into motivation. At the February deadline, Dallas shipped Doncic to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round pick, a move that sparked calls for league intervention. Silver reiterated that the NBA can veto a trade only when there is credible evidence of collusion, leaving the transaction intact.
Offseason turnaround
Since the trade, Doncic has reportedly arrived in peak condition, headlined a wide-ranging promotional tour, signed a contract extension with the Lakers and led an undermanned Slovenian squad to the EuroBasket quarterfinals. His summer surge has placed him among the early favorites for the 2025-26 Most Valuable Player award.
Doncic reflects on the surprise move
The five-time All-NBA guard previously admitted he was unsure how to react when the Mavericks dealt him, noting he never intended to leave Dallas and worried about disappointing both fan bases. While he has grown comfortable in Los Angeles, Doncic has described the trade as the first significant professional setback of his career.
For Silver, Doncic’s willingness to confront that adversity head-on exemplifies the professionalism the league hopes to see when star players are uprooted by unexpected roster moves.
Source: Lakers Nation
