Naji Marshall has revealed how he felt when Luka Doncic was traded by the Dallas Mavericks.
Naji Marshall signed to the Dallas Mavericks after a stint with the New Orleans Pelicans, making the move in free agency last year.
He was known for his defensive resilience and ability to guard multiple positions, but Marshall stepped up his offensive game for the Mavericks in a year where they had multiple injuries.
With Luka Doncic on the roster, the Mavs had offensive prowess unlike any other team in the league, and Marshall’s presence added solidity.
Three months after the Luka trade, Nico Harrison continues facing stick for trading away the franchise star and Marshall revealed it was upsetting even for him, who had spent very limited time with Doncic to see him go.
Doncic’s trade to the LA Lakers was a surprise to the whole world. Pelinka revealed he was shocked when the Mavs offered Luka, but when the news broke, the same feeling was felt among others in the NBA community as well.
Marshall, who had just joined the franchise, stated he was not happy after the trade because of how great his relationship was with Doncic.
The forward said: “I mean I understood business is business as far as NBA, but I was hurt man. Luka’s my dawg for real. And I love AD, that’s my guy right there, like he’s been great with us.
“He welcomed us with open arms, we welcomed him with open arms. But as far as just personally like I was just hurt to lose Luka man.
“I mean it was a great time spent with him, it was a short time and I mean it just hurt to see him go.”
Doncic’s return game in Dallas was marked on the calendar by everyone in the NBA community as soon as the trade was executed.
He had been with the franchise for eight years and seemed like a star that wanted to spend the rest of his career in Dallas.
The Slovenian was seen crying at the Mavs tribute video for him, but when the game got going, he played like a man on a mission.
Doncic finished the game with 45 points, which was his best performance for the Lakers.
Marshall stated he knew the five-time All-Star was going to have a big game.
“I just knew he was going to go crazy like that though. Like first game home, Luka wanted to be in Dallas, he probably thought he was never gonna leave.
“I don’t know what he was thinking, but man that was crazy. To see him cry before the game, I don’t know what he was feeling, but I could imagine what that moment felt like for him,” said Marshall.
The 27-year-old also shared what it was like to be teammates with Doncic.
“Luka just the chillest guy ever bro. Like he just feel like best friend from day one bro. Like he just a great dude, never mad , just always happy.
“He just a Hall of Fame like flamethrower when it comes to basketball. he just does crazy things in practice. Like it’s not normal, like that be amazing,” Marshall remarked.
