Nowitzki: I want to support Doncic, but I will always be a lone man

On August 24, the Mavericks' decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Lakers caused a lot of dissatisfaction, and the most convincing reason for opposition may be: this operation deeply hurts the greatest and most important iconic figure in team history - Dirk Nowitzki.

After 21 brilliant seasons of the German Chariot playing for the Mavericks, Doncic should have become the torch inheritor of the post-Nowitzky era. However, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison sent Doncic to the Lakers without warning late at night local time, tearing everyone's hearts apart.

Nowitzki visited Los Angeles to watch Doncic's debut in the Lakers' jersey, and has clearly expressed his attitude towards this deal. But after several months, he began to look at the deal from a more dialectical perspective.

"This is a difficult choice the team has to make," Nowitzki said in a podcast recently recorded with his old teammate Steve Nash. "You know, that's how it happened. The NBA is always full of operations that shock everyone, and I think that's why the league remains charming."

"I want to support Luca, but don't forget that I'm the Mavericks forever. So it's tough for me, but I obviously will continue to support both sides. Wish Luca everything goes well in Los Angeles, and I believe he will continue his great career there. Of course, the Mavericks also move forward and get the No. 1 pick. To this day, both sides are looking forward and are expected to blossom."

(NBA official website)