Nikola Jokic: Luka Doncic 'Hurt' by Lakers Trade, Was 'Building Something' with Mavs

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic knows that Luka Doncic wasn't thrilled about how abruptly he was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers.

During a media session at NBA All-Star Weekend, Jokic said Doncic was "hurt" by the trade and that he was "building something" with the Mavs before the shocking blockbuster.

Doncic was traded to the Lakers on Feb. 2, with the key returning piece for the Mavericks being Anthony Davis. The deal ended his seven-year tenure with the Mavericks that began when the franchise traded for his draft rights in 2018.

Doncic was a five-time All-Star, perennial MVP candidate and the key force behind Dallas' run to the NBA Finals in 2024. He had been averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists through 22 games this season before the trade.

He has since suited up in two games for the Lakers and will now try to build something new with LeBron James and Co. The Lakers are currently 32-20 and sit in fifth in the Western Conference.