Luka Doncic's Father Rips Dallas Mavericks Over 'Secrecy' Regarding Son's Trade

Luka Doncic and his NBA peers aren't the only people sharing strong feelings about the league's shocking trade involving the Dallas Mavericks player.

In a new interview, Luka Doncic's father, Sasa Doncic, laid into the organization that let his son go in a blockbuster move that nobody saw coming. Throughout the clip, he slammed the Mavericks for hiding the details of the deal from their once-franchise player, calling them out for what he deems unacceptable behavior.

During his chat with the Slovenian media outlet Arena Sport 1, Sasa Doncic voiced his frustrations about the stunning deal, which involved sending his son to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.

He mentioned that although he understood a team's working relationship with a player could reach its expiration date at any moment, he didn't appreciate the "secrecy" and "hypocrisy" permeating around his son by people he trusted.

"That hurts me personally," Doncic's father said. "Because I think that Luka absolutely doesn't deserve this."

The Blast previously reported about the stir Shams Charania caused on social media when he announced that Doncic would be involved in a "three-team" trade that entailed sending him to Los Angeles.

"BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. [A] Three-team deal that includes Utah," he wrote.

Sources revealed that the Dallas Mavericks initiated the conversation about trading away their star player to the Lakers in the hope of creating a better defense.

"I believe that defense wins championships," Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison said.

Charania reported that the deal "materialized in the shadows," leaving no time for the Lakers' marquee player, LeBron James, to take in the news. He also claimed the deal left Doncic "stunned."

In addition to the conversation the Dallas Mavericks had with other teams about creating a better defense, there has also been chatter around the league about Doncic's ability to perform and stay healthy.

Later, during Doncic's father's interview, he addressed this and claimed his son's conditioning "wasn't even a problem" during the last season.

"... He played, I don't know, 100 games ‒ practically 40 minutes with two or three players constantly on him," Sasa said.

The NBA All-Star's father added that his son has been "beaten" throughout this process and that the negative comments about his performance are "unfair" coming "from certain individuals."

"You traded him," he added. "Stand by your actions, but don't look for excuses or alibis."

Once the details about the Mavericks' shocking trade involving their franchise player hit the internet, people shared their reactions online.

Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes said he was "sick" by the news, while New York Knicks player Jalen Brunson assumed someone was playing an "April Fools" joke on the league.

Phoenix Suns baller Devin Booker addressed the news following his game against the Portland Trailblazers, calling the move "crazy."

Booker went on to say that trades like this are part of the price high-profile athletes pay to play in a league with the best of the best.

"Luka being a guy that everybody has claimed is untouchable and untradeable. The NBA shows you again. Can't predict. It's a business. They're always having a conversation about you. So don't think you're safer than you are," he said.

Doncic addressed his unforeseen exit from Dallas in an emotional Instagram post.

In it, he seemingly confirmed the reports that the move to send him to the Lakers came as a total shock.

"I thought I'd spend my career here," he said before thanking the teams' supporters for their loyalty over the years.

Doncic joined the NBA in 2018 and was named Rookie of the Year later that season. He's also a five-time All-Star and made his first appearance in the big game in 2020.

The 25-year-old is currently out of the lineup due to the calf injury he suffered on Christmas Day against the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, according to ESPN's Marc Spears, the point guard is aiming to make his return to the hardwood in one of the team's upcoming games in mid-February.