The earth shifted in Dallas the moment the Luka Doncic trade detonated, sending shockwaves far beyond the fanbase. Whispers of disbelief and confusion have morphed into a full-blown tremor, questioning the very foundation of the Mavericks’ future. But amidst the turmoil, a single, crucial voice has remained largely silent: Dirk Nowitzki. Did the franchise icon have any input in this seismic decision? GM Nico Harrison’s carefully worded response only amplified the intrigue.

Now, as the dust settles, a more unsettling question emerges: Did this blockbuster trade fracture Dirk’s legendary loyalty to the Mavericks, leaving him heartbroken and perhaps even feeling betrayed by the direction of the team he defined for two decades? The silence from their hero may speak volumes.

When GM Nico Harrison was recently asked whether Dirk had any say in the trade, his response raised more questions than it answered. “First of all, nobody really knew about this trade. It was very hush-hush. But you can’t look for advice from people who aren’t in the building at a constant basis…” Harrison explained.

But here’s where things really take a turn. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Dirk might not be as loyal to the franchise as he once was—and the reason? That very same Luka deal. “Dirk [Nowitzki] damn sure was not in that group,” MacMahon shared, talking about those who doubted Luka’s leadership. So if he wasn’t on board with the move, what does that say?

Nevertheless, Harrison highlighted Dirk’s legacy and his enduring ties to the team. “Well, let’s be clear, Dirk Nowitzki is the most important person in the franchise history,” he said during the same closed-door session. “Any role, big or small, that he wants to play, he’ll be met with open arms.” That sounds respectful on the surface, but it also feels like damage control, especially considering how the Luka trade blindsided just about everyone.

But how Dirk feels about the Mavs after Nico Harrison’s Luka decision? “Dirk’s attended two games since his trade, two NBA games,” MacMahon said. “One was Luka’s debut with the Lakers in Los Angeles. The other was Luka’s return to Dallas. I think those actions speak pretty damn loudly about how Dirk feels about Luka Doncic.”

However, do you know that Dirk felt heartbroken—maybe even betrayed after Luka’s trade.

Dirk Nowitzki opens up about Luka Doncic deal

So, when the Luka Doncic trade hit the headlines, Dirk Nowitzki wasn’t sitting in some front office—he was actually on vacation. But that didn’t stop his phone from blowing up. “I was so stunned,” Dirk told his sister Silke Mayer on the 41 Campus podcast. “We were supposed to go for a quick lunch with the family before flying out, but instead, I sat in my room for an hour, scrolling through X, trying to figure out if it was real.” That’s how blindsided he was. Just like the rest of the basketball world, Dirk never saw it coming.

Naturally, the shock ran deep. “I don’t think anyone saw it coming that the Mavs would ever trade Luka,” Dirk said. And it hit different for someone who spent his entire career with the Mavericks—leading them to a championship in 2011. Luka was supposed to follow in that same path. Instead, Dirk was left trying to make sense of it all while the rest of the league watched in disbelief.

While Dirk’s loyalty to the Mavs hasn’t wavered, he didn’t hold back when asked how it felt. “This trade really hurt,” he admitted. Seeing Luka in yellow wasn’t just strange—it was painful. “It’s going to take weeks and months before it starts to feel a little more normal.”

Even so, Dirk made sure to show up for Luka’s Lakers debut. It might’ve felt weird, but he wanted Luka to know their bond is still strong. Because no matter what jersey Luka wears, Dirk’s support for him isn’t changing anytime soon.