Dirk Nowitzki Was 'So Stunned' by Luka Doncic-Lakers Trade He Skipped Family Lunch

Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki briefly put a family vacation on hold when he first learned of Luka Dončić's trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Nowitzki revealed in the newest episode of his 41Campus podcast (via BasketNews) he was "relaxing at the beach" on the last day of a trip to the Maldives. That's when his phone "exploded" with news of the Mavs' blockbuster deal.

"I was so stunned that I just put everything aside," the Hall of Famer said. "We were supposed to go for a quick lunch with the family before flying out, but instead, I sat in my room for an hour, scrolling through X, trying to figure out if it was real."

Nowitzki added that he'll "always be a Mavs fan, but this trade really hurt."

To say Dončić's departure was unpopular in Dallas would be an understatement. Mock funerals and calls to fire general manager Nico Harrison were among the immediate reactions from fans, and their ire hasn't really subsided.

It also felt notable that Nowitzki chose to attend Luka's Lakers debut on Feb. 10, a night when the Mavericks were playing at home.

The 14-time All-Star is the greatest player in franchise history. His statue sits outside American Airlines Center. And even he couldn't believe what he was reading when he saw Dončić was no longer a member of the Mavericks.

The fact Nowitzki said the move "really hurt" is a pretty candid remark as well given his importance to the organization.

Maybe Harrison will be vindicated over time. For now, jettisoning Dončić clearly burned a lot of goodwill, and not just with fans.