Adam Silver says Luka Dončić’s trade to the Lakers was a major setback for the player

The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off one of the most audacious trades in recent NBA history this past February when they acquired Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks.

Widely regarded as a once-in-a-generation talent, Dončić now joins forces with NBA all-time leading scorer and global icon LeBron James, forming one of the most electrifying duos in the league.

However, the latter part of the year proved challenging for the Slovenian star. He was not only traded from the franchise where he was expected to spend his career but also faced heavy criticism for his fitness and conditioning. On the court, the Lakers suffered a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, despite Dončić being arguably the team’s best player.

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In a recent Wall Street Journal feature, Jason Gay described what is believed to be a “revenge tour” for Dončić and spoke to NBA commissioner Adam Silver about the blockbuster trade. Silver offered a candid take:

Luka Doncic was asked about his time with the Mavericks, the city, Dirk Nowitzki, and their run to the Finals. Listen to his answers…….

He still has love for Dallas ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

(Via @WSJMag) pic.twitter.com/bNUiFV3EiB

— HeroOfTheDay (@Hero_OfThe_Day) September 16, 2025

“Putting aside the merits of the trade, you could argue that it was a harsh setback for Dončić. He didn’t try to sugarcoat it. Another player might have said, ‘Oh, now I’m part of the Lakers organization,’ but he didn’t hide his disappointment. He was in a bit of a funk for a while, likely his first true professional setback. I personally hoped he would ultimately see it as an opportunity to reset.”

The Lakers are now building around Dončić as the cornerstone of their future. The franchise secured his commitment with a three-year, $165 million contract extension, keeping him in Los Angeles through 2028. Following that, he will be eligible for a five-year supermax deal, potentially allowing him to recoup earnings lost after the Dallas trade. His previous contract included a player option for the 2026–27 season.

Dončić has also made significant strides in his conditioning. Determined to enter the 2025–26 season in peak shape, he spent much of the offseason training in Croatia, focusing on health and fitness. A July 28 feature in Men’s Health showcased a leaner, more athletic Dončić, crediting a gluten-free, low-sugar diet, intermittent fasting, and high protein intake for his transformation.

He carried that form into EuroBasket 2025, nearly single-handedly leading Slovenia to the quarterfinals. Dončić led the team in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals, including a 39-point, 10-rebound, seven-assist performance in a narrow 99–91 loss to eventual champions Germany.

The Slovenian superstar will have plenty of motivation to silence critics in the upcoming 2025–26 NBA season. This is especially notable given that Anthony Davis has a history of injuries and has already missed games for Dallas.

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