Interesting, Najib Marshall feels "sad" about Luka Doncic being traded by the Mavericks

Nagy Marshall said that the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to him "sad" and recalled his feelings about returning to Dallas.

Dallas Mavericks forward Najib Marshall recently shared his feelings about Luca Doncic's heavy trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. In the latest episode of the Young and Trio podcast, Marshall admitted that he felt “sad” when the Mavericks gave up their former team cornerstones.

The Dallas Mavericks traded Doncic to the Lakers on February 2 in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick. The deal came months after Doncic led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011, marking a major turning point in the team's development direction.

"I mean, I understand that in the NBA, business is business, but I was very sad at the time," Marshall said. "Luca is really my dog, I love Anthony Davis, he is my brother. He is very nice to us, you know, he welcomes us with open arms, and we welcome him with open arms, just like he is my man. But personally, it's a shame to lose Luca. The time with him was wonderful, and while it was short, it's really sad to see him leave."

Nagy Marshall reviews Luca Doncic's return and the lasting impact of the deal on the Mavericks

This deal has caused mixed reactions in the league and even in the Mavericks' locker room. Although Davis played an important role in Dallas after joining, Doncic's departure still lingers, especially for players like Marshall who have established a deep friendship with him during his time working together. On April 9, Doncic returned to Dallas for the first time since trading, leading the Lakers to a 112-97 victory with his dominant performance. He scored 45 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals, and this game carried a huge emotional burden.

Marshall reviewed the atmosphere of the game that night and Doncic's reaction.

"No, seriously, I can't believe it. But I know he'll be so crazy. The first home game... Luca Luca wants to stay in Dallas. He probably never thought he would leave," Marshall said. "But, brother, that's really crazy. Seeing him crying before the game, I don't know how he felt at that time, but I can imagine how he felt at that moment."

This game was one of Doncic's most touching performances since entering the NBA, and his tears at the pre-match ceremony also reminded him of the deep feelings between him and the city and its fans. For Marshall, that moment highlighted the human side of business-driven decision-making. The Mavericks are preparing for a critical offseason, including the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft No. 1 pick. After Doncic left, the team is still reshaping its positioning. But for many team members, including Marshall, Doncic's valuable legacy and influence in Dallas remains profound.