Don Nelson to Put on Luka Sneakers in Protest of Mavs Commerce

[ad_1] Though the NBA Finals are underway and Sport 1 was a doozy, many are nonetheless pondering the large commerce that preceded previous to the deadline between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers.

The commerce between the 2 was one which nobody noticed coming and one which shocked your complete sports activities world. The Mavericks determined to commerce celebrity and five-time All-NBA guard Luka Doncic to the Lakers.

Doncic had simply led the Mavericks to the Finals in 2024; nonetheless, the entrance workplace did not imagine he might be the man to make them the following degree, therefore the commerce. Whereas time has handed on the commerce, there are some who can not imagine the Mavericks may quit on a participant like Doncic, together with NBA Corridor of Famer Don Nelson.

Nelson revealed he'll be honored with the 2025 Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award and shared that he plans to put on Luka Doncic's signature sneakers in silent protest of the midseason commerce that despatched the Slovenian star from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up court docket through the first quarter towards the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Area on April 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up court docket through the first quarter towards the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Area on April 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photograph by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Photos "Luka is my expensive pal," Nelson mentioned, "I'll put on a pair of his new sneakers. I needed to say that."

"My philosophy was at all times, while you've received an ideal participant, he is yours for a lifetime. You do not eliminate nice gamers. When that occurred, I used to be fairly disillusioned."

Nelson will probably be sporting Luka 4 sneakers.

The 85-year-old spent virtually a decade with the Mavericks group as head coach of the group from 1997-2005. Nelson's son, Donnie, was a part of the Mavericks group and performed a job within the group's commerce for Doncic through the 2018 NBA Draft.

The Mavericks shocked the sports activities world after they determined to commerce him to the Lakers. Many weren't solely upset in regards to the commerce, but additionally about the truth that the Mavericks did not obtain the very best package deal in return for him.

The commerce itself is indefensible from the Mavericks' facet — however for the Lakers, it is the type of transfer you make each single time with out hesitation.

Even with Dallas touchdown the No. 1 decide within the 2025 NBA Draft, parting methods with Doncic stays a head-scratcher for a lot of, together with Nelson, who has made his stance on the deal crystal clear.