At first, Giannis Antetokounmpo felt for Luka Doncic who got shockingly shipped by the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Feb 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) is fouled by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Doncic is one of the few NBA players these days expected to retire with the team that drafted them. That is not happening anymore after he was sent to the Tinsel Town together with Maxi Kleber while the Mavericks receive Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first round draft pick. Utah Jazz acted as the facilitator.

There’s another way to look at the situation though, at least according to the Greek Freak.

Antetokounmpo believes Europe has to gain the most with Doncic going to the Lakers because there is a possibility that the next face of the NBA is from that continent.

The Milwaukee Bucks star changed his view of the mega blockbuster trade because he thought the Europeans will finally be represented by a real superstar.

Mar 7, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Team LeBron forward Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks (34) reacts to being named the MVP of the 2021 NBA All-Star Game at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Now I just love it [the trade]. You know what I want? I want Luka to the Lakers, I want Jokic to the Knicks. I want all the Europeans to go to all the big markets to see something incredible. This is what I want. This is my dream. But again, I wish both teams the best of luck, wish all the players best of luck with their journey moving forward.

Antetokounmpo is from Greece but he has said before that he never wants to go to a big market team and that he wants to retire as a Buck.

What was Giannis Antetokounmpo’s initial reaction?

It is a cold world.

That is Antetokounmpo’s initial thoughts on the Doncic situation hours after it was confirmed it was real.

He elaborated on his emoji after their loss at home to the Memphis Grizzlies.

He said he knows that players get evaluated everyday that is why he is not taking each day, each moment for granted.

He added that he understand that NBA is still a business and this should help people understand that if teams can do that to a star player, the latter can do that, too.

Feb 2, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks fans leave notes and memorabilia after the game between the Dallas Stars and the Columbus Blue Jackets at American Airlines Center to protest the trade of Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

When the teams make the best moves for them and they believe they can get another player to win now. when a player believes that he can go to a different team and he believes he can have a chance to win a championship, we cannot crucify the person and say that he’s not loyal and he didn’t do the right thing and he let everybody down.

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