Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki admitted that he, probably like everyone else, was shocked when the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
"I think I was as shocked and surprised as everyone else... I really couldn't believe it", Nowitzki told American radio station The Ticket in Dallas about his reaction when he learned about the deal.
"Of course I felt a little disappointed and sad for him. I think he obviously didn't expect this to happen," the legendary German basketball player also said.
"He invited me to go to his first game in Los Angeles and I felt like I had to support him. "It was reported that he was pretty depressed and disappointed with what happened, so I wanted to be there for him, I wanted to be there for his family... I'm sure he wanted to finish his career, like I did," Dirk Nowitzki continued.
Doncic, who turns 26 on Friday, began his NBA career in the 2018-2019 season, which coincidentally was Nowitzki's final season of his 21-year career with the Mavericks.
The 46-year-old Nowitzki was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player after the 2006-2007 campaign and is a 14-time All-Star. He averaged 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 1,522 games (1,460 as a starter) with Dallas.
A five-time All-NBA First Team selection, Doncic has averaged 28.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 425 career games (all as a starter) with the Mavericks and LA Lakers.