Dallas Mavericks fans bring coffin, play sad music at American Airlines Center after Luka Doncic trade

Dallas Mavericks fans are in disbelief after the organization traded superstar guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

While the Mavericks are on the road Sunday taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers, many of their fans showed up to American Airlines Center in Dallas to protest the trade. A couple fans arrived at the arena dressed in black suits holding a coffin with Wiz Khalifa‘s “See You Again” playing in the background.

Three dudes brought a coffin to American Airlines Center. They’re playing “See You Again.”

“Rest in peace to the Mavs.” pic.twitter.com/0Ndv26vGyb

— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) February 2, 2025

The trade, one of the more unexpected and shocking in NBA history, was a three-team deal between the Mavericks, Lakers and Utah Jazz. The Lakers acquired Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris from the Mavericks. Dallas acquired Anthony Davis, Max Christie and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick. Utah received Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Los Angeles Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick and the Mavericks’ 2025 second-round selection.

Doncic, 25, is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game this season while shooting 46.4% from the field and 35.4% from 3-point range, one season removed from leading Dallas to the NBA Finals. Doncic remains sidelined after suffering a strained calf on Christmas.

Dallas Mavericks fans protest Luka Doncic trade outside of American Airlines Center

Several of the Mavericks fans at the protest on Sunday let their frustrations be heard by writing obscenities about Dallas general manager Nico Harrison near the Dirk Nowitzki statue outside of American Airlines Center.

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon provided further details on the Mavericks’ front office’s reasoning behind the trade.

“The Mavs had major concerns about moving forward with Luka Doncic due to his constant conditioning issues and the looming commitment of another supermax contract extension this summer,” MacMahon wrote on X.

Doncic reportedly struggled to maintain his weight while with the Mavericks and Harris wasn’t satisfied with his defense. Additionally, Doncic was eligible for a $345 million supermax contract this offseason that would’ve spanned five seasons with the Mavericks.

Now with the Lakers, Doncic is no longer eligible to receive a supermax. Harrison confirmed that Doncic’s looming contract discussions were a significant factor in his decision to trade the five-time All-NBA First-Team member.

“We really feel like we got ahead of what was going to be a tumultuous summer, him being eligible for the supermax and also a year away from him being able to opt out of any contract,” Harrison told The Dallas Morning News. “And so, we really felt like we got out in front of that. We know teams, they’ve had it out there, teams have been loading up to try to sign him once that comes available.”

On3’s Grant Grubbs contributed to this article.