Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes may be laser-focused on winning Super Bowl LIX, but even he couldn’t ignore the NBA bombshell that shook the sports world: the Dallas Mavericks trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
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As an avid Mavericks fan, Mahomes was left stunned by the move, taking to X with a raw, unfiltered reaction.
“Wait what?” he posted, followed shortly after with, “I’m sick rn….”-a sentiment that resonated with fans across the country.
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“It hurts as a Dallas fan”
Speaking at Super Bowl Opening Night in New Orleans, Mahomes reflected on the emotional impact of the trade. “It’s tough, you know, because I’ve watched [Doncic] since he was 18 years old,” Mahomes said. “I remember going to a practice, and it was Dirk [Nowitzki] and Luka. Seeing his maturation and how great of a basketball player he has become, it’s been fun to watch.”
Mahomes didn’t hide his disappointment but also expressed support for Doncic’s next chapter in Los Angeles. “As a Dallas fan, it hurts me. But I’m happy for him that he’s going to be able to go out there, be in LA, and try to achieve his dream of winning a championship. He did so much, not only for the basketball team but for the city of Dallas. I’ll always be appreciative of those years.”
Still, the Chiefs quarterback remains optimistic about the Mavericks‘ future, adding, “I’m excited for the Mavericks moving forward and the guys they brought in.”
Saquon Barkley joins the chorus of shock
Mahomes wasn’t the only NFL star caught off guard by the stunning trade, which saw the Mavericks acquire Anthony Davis in return. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, also gearing up for the Super Bowl, shared his surprise: “I kinda was shocked by that too. I think everybody in the sports world was shocked by that. But sports is a crazy business, and I think Luka and AD are gonna make the most of it.”
As the dust settles on one of the most unexpected trades in NBA history, athletes across leagues are reminded that in the world of professional sports, nothing is ever certain-except, perhaps, passionate fan reactions like Mahomes‘.