One year removed from the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers, emotions in Dallas are still running high-and not just because the Lakers are coming to town Saturday afternoon. Dončić may now wear purple and gold, but in the hearts of many Mavericks fans, he never really left.
The 26-year-old superstar is gearing up for his return to the American Airlines Center, and while this isn’t his first trip back-Dallas already honored him with a tribute video last April-it still feels different. The connection between Dončić and the city runs deep, and for fans, the pain of the trade hasn’t faded. If anything, it’s resurfacing with every step he takes back onto that familiar hardwood.
Dončić himself stirred the pot a bit, posting a photo of his car parked at his Dallas home ahead of the game. That one image was enough to send social media into a frenzy, with Mavericks fans flooding the comments with a mix of nostalgia, heartbreak, and humor.
“The GOAT is home,” one fan wrote, summing up the general sentiment in just five words. Others were more reflective: “This just makes me sad, tbh.
Luka belongs in Dallas. He was supposed to spend his entire career as a Maverick.”
And then there was the classic Texas wit: “Just in time for the lousy weather! Maybe he'll get stuck here and we can just send AD back instead.”
Luka is back HOME☺️☺️☺️ pic.twitter.com/aPqbyo1Oeu
— lynz (@lynziekate) January 23, 2026
It’s not just sentimentality talking. Dončić’s departure left a basketball-sized hole in Dallas, and the results on the court haven’t helped ease the sting.
Since the trade, the Mavericks are 0-3 against the Lakers. The last time the two teams faced off in Dallas, Dončić lit up his old squad for 45 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, leading L.A. to a convincing 112-97 win.
That performance wasn’t just dominant-it was a reminder of what once was, and what Dallas lost.
Still, there’s a sense of hope among fans, even if it’s rooted more in dreams than reality. One fan mused about a potential reunion down the line: “Luka will be a Mav again one day and pair up with prime Cooper Flagg (A man can dream).”
For now, though, Dončić is the engine of a Lakers team with championship aspirations, and Dallas will have to watch him from the other side. But when he steps onto that court Saturday, don’t be surprised if the cheers from the home crowd rival those for the Mavericks themselves. Because no matter what jersey he’s wearing, Luka Dončić will always be part of Dallas basketball lore.