Giannis Antetokounmpo Speaks Honestly About Luka Doncic’s Trade, Sees Upside – ‘I Want Luka to the Lakers’
At first, Giannis Antetokounmpo sympathized with Luka Doncic after the Dallas Mavericks made a surprising trade, sending him to the Los Angeles Lakers. Doncic, one of the few NBA players expected to finish their career with the team that drafted them, will no longer do so. He was traded to the Lakers along with Maxi Kleber, while the Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round draft pick, with the Utah Jazz facilitating the deal.
However, there is another perspective on the trade, at least according to Antetokounmpo. The Greek star believes that Europe stands to gain the most from Doncic’s move to the Lakers, as it opens the door for a European player to become the next face of the NBA.
Initially, Antetokounmpo was skeptical about the trade but later embraced it. He said, “I love it now. You know what I want? Luka to the Lakers, Jokic to the Knicks. I want all the Europeans in the big markets to create something incredible.” This, he explained, is his dream. Still, he expressed best wishes for both teams and the players as they move forward in their careers.
Although Giannis is from Greece, he has previously stated that he doesn’t want to join a large-market team and prefers to retire with the Milwaukee Bucks.
What was Giannis’s first reaction to the trade?
It was a cold world.
Giannis’s immediate response to the trade, shortly after it was confirmed, was captured through a simple emoji. He later explained his thoughts after their loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. He acknowledged that players are constantly evaluated, and that’s why he never takes a moment for granted. He further emphasized that the NBA is a business, and this situation serves as a reminder that if a team can trade a star player, the player can also make a move for his own career. He pointed out that when teams make moves they believe will lead to immediate success, or when a player believes a different team offers a better chance to win a championship, they shouldn’t be criticized for their decisions or labeled as disloyal.