To Luka Doncic, Dallas was home. The city embraced him upon his arrival from Europe and made him one of the most beloved players in Mavs history. Luka was so content that his mother Mirjam Poterbin claimed in a 2020 interview, “He feels great there, so he wants to stay for sure.” Clearly, he was hoping to wear the Mavs uniform for life. But Nico Harrison had other plans. In what many have deemed the trade of the century, the GM shockingly sent Luka to the Lakers mid-season. And the betrayal broke the Slovenian superstar’s heart!

In a recent interview at a Yankees game, Luka detailed how difficult the trade was for him: “No, it wasn’t easy. Especially for me, you know. I didn’t expect it; I think nobody expected it. So, it was a shock. It was a shock for everybody and for me even more.” It made zero sense for the franchise to part ways with a player who just led them to the NBA Finals and was a perennial All-NBA talent.

The news hit Doncic hard, and he threw his phone to the ground following the devastating call. “I felt like my heart was broken, honestly.” He confessed earlier this year. His manager, Lara Beth Seagar, showed Luka’s broken phone, a souvenir of his heartbreak and frustration, to ESPN’s Malika Andrews during an interview.

While Luka was clearly devastated, and Dallas was furious at Nico for trading him, the GM stood by his decision. “The team post-trade that was intended to be on the floor… that’s a championship-caliber team… Every trade I’ve made since I’ve been here has not been regarded as a good trade. Sometimes, it takes time.” Nico remarked. Well, despite trading Luka, the Mavs’ future is looking bright thanks to the addition of Cooper Flagg. But the GM might finally show some signs of regret for betraying Luka, especially after his latest physical transformation.

Luka Doncic is not worried about sending the Mavs a message as he aims to make LA his home

Although the memory of that dreaded February night still stings, Luka has seemingly moved on from Nico’s betrayal. Now, he is focused on turning LA into his new home, as he said, “First time I came to the US, I got straight to Dallas… Felt like my home. That’s what I’m trying to do in LA.” For Laker Nation to truly embrace him like Dallas did, Luka would likely have to win them a championship. And looks like that’s his ultimate goal.

Responding to the criticism he faced about his conditioning at the time of his trade, Luka has spent his summer in the gym, getting much leaner and fitter than last season. He revealed his incredible transformation by featuring on the cover of Men’s Health. “Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better.” He remarked.

When the interviewer hilariously urged him to send a copy of the magazine to the Mavs, likely to make them wonder what could have been, Luka humbly shut down the idea: “They probably saw it. I don’t have to worry about that.” Surely, Nico Harrison and Co. have seen it because it’s all over the internet.

Well, skill-wise, Doncic had little to no flaws in his game. The only concern with him has always been his conditioning, which he seems to have taken care of this summer by improving his diet and shedding significant weight. It’s definitely a warning sign for the remaining 29 teams in the league because a motivated and fit Luka Doncic is going to be a scary sight on the hardwood.