Luka Dončić Teases Atlanta Fans Over the Trade That Sent Him to Dallas

Luka Dončić delivered a pointed reminder to Atlanta Hawks fans about the night the team drafted him—and then traded him away. During the Los Angeles Lakers’ 124–114 win over Atlanta, the Slovenian star reportedly exchanged playful barbs with supporters seated near the court. Dončić was back in action after missing a game and made an immediate impact, scoring 32 points and recording 10 assists. His performance helped the Lakers secure a fifth straight victory and move to the top of the Western Conference standings, while adding to his strong early-season case for the league’s Most Valuable Player award. The conversation with fans turned to the 2018 NBA draft. Atlanta selected Dončić with the third pick, then traded him that same evening to the Dallas Mavericks in a deal involving Trae Young and a future draft selection. In a transcript shared online, Dončić was reported to have told Hawks fans, “You all wish you would have had me,” before adding, “You know you could have had me.” Some fans agreed; others pushed back. The article notes that Young went on to earn four NBA All-Star selections with Atlanta, so the trade did bring the Hawks a notable player. Still, with Dončić now starring for the Lakers, the old draft-night decision remains an easy subject for teasing. Atlanta was not the only team that passed on future standouts: Phoenix chose Deandre Ayton first overall, while Sacramento selected Marvin Bagley III. Among players from that draft class, Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Brunson are highlighted as having built especially impressive careers so far.