Artist: Lakers' Luka Doncic Wasn't Replaced In Mavericks Hype Video Amid Fan Criticism

A local Dallas artist who provided a song for a Dallas Mavericks hype video says the team did not remove former superstar Luka Dončić from footage included with the track.

The Mavericks posted a social media video on Friday featuring several players on the team, with Dončić seemingly replaced by a silhouette and a team logo in brief clips. The post has since been deleted.

Dorrough, the Dallas rapper who made the song for the video, took to his X account and denied that Dončić was the silhouette in question:

Dallas sent Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for a package centered around Anthony Davis and a 2029 first-round pick on Feb. 2.

It was a shocking move, with the five-time All-Star leading the Mavericks to an NBA Finals appearance during the 2023-24 season.

"You can imagine how surprised I was," Dončić said, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "I had to check if it was April 1. I didn't really believe it."

ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported that Dallas made the trade partly due to the forward's "constant conditioning issues" as well as the "looming commitment" of a contract extension during the 2025 offseason.

Dončić was eligible to receive a five-year, $345 million extension in the summer (via ESPN's Bobby Marks). Per Marks, the 25-year-old can sign a five-year contract worth $229 million with the Lakers instead.

He still appears to be adjusting to the change of scenery, averaging 14.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game on 35.6/20.8/58.3 shooting splits in three appearances with his new team.

The Mavericks are still set to honor his overall tenure as a member of the organization, as they're reportedly planning a tribute video for Dončić when the Lakers travel to the American Airlines Center on April 9.