Luka Doncic Opens Up About Kyrie Irving, Dallas, and the Bond That Still Lingers
No matter how far Luka Doncic goes in his career-or how many jerseys he wears along the way-his time in Dallas still follows him. It’s not just about the stats or the playoff runs.
It’s about the connections. And none, it seems, ran deeper than the one he shared with Kyrie Irving.
On a recent episode of the Cousins podcast hosted by Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, Doncic was asked a simple but telling question: Who was the best teammate he’s ever had on the court?
His answer came without hesitation. “I’ve always said Kyrie,” Doncic said.
“It took us some time. He came in the middle of the season that year… we weren't good.
We didn’t have the chemistry we had next year… That preseason helped us a lot. And that team that we had, we went to the Finals.”
That’s the kind of response that doesn’t need embellishment. Just the facts, and the weight behind them.
You could hear it in his voice-this wasn’t just a basketball answer. It was personal.
When McGrady followed up by asking if Doncic had ever seen anyone with Kyrie’s skillset, Luka smiled, paused, and delivered a single word: “No.” That was it. A quiet moment that said more than a full scouting report ever could.
A Bond Forged in Fire
For Dallas fans, that answer hits hard. Not because it’s a surprise-anyone who watched the Luka-Kyrie duo during their time together saw the chemistry-but because it’s a reminder of what could have been.
The Mavericks have since pivoted. They moved on from the Anthony Davis experiment and are now reshaping their roster with expiring contracts and future draft capital, including a coveted 2029 first-round pick from the Lakers. It’s a reset, a rebuild, and maybe-just maybe-a path back to Luka, who holds an opt-out clause in his current deal come 2028.
But for now, it’s a chapter that feels unfinished. Luka’s comments don’t just reflect a fondness for a former teammate-they reflect a longing for a connection that elevated both players in ways the box score couldn’t fully capture.
Two Stars, One Turning Point
When Irving arrived in Dallas, he was carrying more than just a controversial reputation. His career had been marked by brilliance on the court and turbulence off it. From vaccine-related absences to off-court controversies, he came to Dallas with a lot to prove.
Doncic, meanwhile, was facing his own narrative. A generational talent, no doubt-but one who many believed couldn’t share the spotlight.
Too ball-dominant. Too controlling.
Too much Luka, not enough team.
And then something clicked.
That first full season together? It was electric.
The Mavericks made a run to the 2024 NBA Finals, and the partnership between Doncic and Irving was the engine behind it. The two weren’t just coexisting-they were complementing each other.
Luka trusted Kyrie. Kyrie empowered Luka.
It was a symbiosis that felt rare in today’s NBA.
Off the court, the bond was just as strong. Irving, once viewed as a locker room risk, became a steadying veteran presence. Doncic, once questioned for his leadership style, showed he could adapt, share the ball, and elevate those around him.
They weren’t just teammates. They were allies. And for a moment, it felt like Dallas had found something truly special.
The Fall and the Fallout
But then, it unraveled.
Team president Nico Harrison reportedly grew frustrated with Doncic’s inconsistent training habits, and the relationship soured. The front office made the bold-and, to many fans, baffling-decision to trade their franchise cornerstone.
Shortly after, Irving suffered a devastating ACL injury. And Anthony Davis, brought in to help fill the void, couldn’t stay on the floor.
It was a perfect storm of disappointment. And for Mavericks fans, it still stings.
Now, co-interim GMs Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi are tasked with steering the franchise back on course. The team is building around rising star Cooper Flagg and trying to restore faith in the front office.
The wounds are still fresh, but there’s a sense of direction. A plan.
A glimmer of hope.
And yet, Luka’s recent comments serve as a reminder: the door might not be closed forever.
Bigger Than Basketball
What Doncic and Irving built in Dallas wasn’t just about pick-and-rolls or clutch-time heroics. It was about trust.
Growth. Redemption.
They came into each other’s lives at a time when both needed a fresh start. And together, they found a rhythm that was both joyful and effective. It wasn’t perfect-but it was real.
So when Luka speaks about Kyrie as his best teammate, it’s not just nostalgia. It’s recognition.
Of a bond that changed the trajectory of two careers. Of a partnership that still echoes, even as both players wear different uniforms.
Because in the end, some connections don’t fade with time or distance. Some are bigger than basketball.