Luka Doncic Reportedly to Be Honored with Mavs Tribute Video During Return With Lakers

The Dallas Mavericks will honor Luka Dončić for his contributions to the organization that originally drafted him when he returns to American Airlines Center for the first time as a visiting player.

Per ESPN's Tim MacMahon, the Mavs intend to play a tribute video for Dončić at some point during their game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.

While it would seem like a given that Dončić would be honored by the Mavs, the way the franchise split from him and everything that came after at least left open the possibility they might try to downplay his return.

Even though no one in the organization has stated it this directly, it's been widely reported that Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison simply believe they would be better off without the 26-year-old superstar.

Mavs governor Patrick Dumont said last month at a speaking engagement in the Dallas area that trading Dončić was done with an eye toward maximizing their roster for the future.

MacMahon reported at the time of the trade that Mavs officials had "major concerns" about Dončić's "constant conditioning issues" as he was set to become eligible for a supermax contract this summer.

Even though people within the Mavericks organization decided it was in their best interest to move on from Dončić, their fans are still devastated by the move.

Some of the hysteria has calmed down simply because time has passed, but it's virtually impossible to envision a scenario where the fans come to terms with why they no longer have arguably the best point guard in the NBA on their roster.

Wednesday won't give those fans any closure about the situation, but it will at least offer them an opportunity to let Dončić know they appreciate what he brought to their team.

The Mavs giving Dončić a tribute is the least they could do since he was instrumental in their success during his first six seasons, including a trip to the NBA Finals last season and an appearance in the 2022 Western Conference Finals.

Dončić's five first-team All-NBA appearances before he turned 25 are the second-most in NBA history, trailing only LeBron James (six).

The Lakers-Mavs game at American Airlines Center tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday.