When you walk into the American Airlines Center, you’ll see a tall statue. Soaring at 23 feet, Dirk Nowitzki stands strong as the epitome of loyalty. The statue of the legend, mid one-legged shot, reads “Loyalty never fades away” — a tribute to his 21 years with the Mavs. Speaking of loyalty, Luka Doncic is returning to Texas on Wednesday.

Now, you may wonder why ‘loyalty’ reminded me of Luka Doncic and his homecoming. Many often compared the 26-year-old Slovenian to Nowitzki, believing he’d stay with the Mavs his entire career. And honestly, Luka would’ve stayed with the franchise had they not sent him away to the Los Angeles Lakers.

So, now, the Maverick Nation stands at a crossroad. Which side should they pick? The team or their favorite adopted Texan? “They’re [fans] questioning their loyalty to the franchise. And they’re kind of trying to figure out, are we more Mavericks fans now? Are we more Luka fans now?” Tim MacMahon said on the Hoop Collective podcast. Well, loyalty is an important part, and every fan base has experienced it.

But with the Mavericks, “with Dirk and Luka being the guy who took the torch from him. And the statue outside the arena that sums up Dirk’s legendary career and record-breaking 21-year run with 21 letters: ‘Loyalty never fades away,'” added the ESPN reporter. “That was kind of the motto of the franchise, until just before midnight, February 1st, midnight central time in Dallas, when loyalty was not a big part of the equation in making this trade, to say the least.”

Undoubtedly, February 1 changed a lot, not just for the Dallas Mavericks but for the fans who always counted their blessings for having someone like Luka Doncic on the team. But now he’s the rival and he’s coming back. However, the franchise should be concerned about the fans’ loyalty. At the same time, another storm, a financial one, to be precise, is brewing behind the scenes. Patrick Dumont should be worried now.

Mavericks’ boss Patrick Dumont faces loss as Luka Doncic returns to Texas for an emotional matchup

Reports say that the Dallas Mavericks will have shirts on the seats for fans when Luka returns to AAC on Wednesday. Each shirt will have “hvala za vse” (Slovenian for: thanks for everything) written on it. According to Naji Marshall, Doncic texted the Mavs’ team group chat after being traded. His message was simple: “Thanks for everything.” Meanwhile, reports also say the Mavs lack the authorization to use the name, image, or likeness of a player on another team’s roster.

However, a decision made by Patrick Dumont & Co. is burning his pockets in Luka Doncic‘s emotional return. A nine-figure slam for the next several years. As the Mavs brace for tens of millions in losses this season, the fallout is undeniable. Crowds have thinned, merchandise sales have crashed, and sponsors are walking away. In the days after the trade, season ticket cancellations flooded in. In response, the franchise scrambled to save face—offering limited refunds in a rare attempt to restore goodwill.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks had planned a tribute video for Doncic, offering fans one last chance to relive his brilliance in Dallas — and grieve what could’ve been. According to ESPN, the team also secured major sponsorships tied to brands Doncic endorses. However, those deals collapsed. His camp refused approval, firmly reminding all — he’s a Laker now.

So, Luka Doncic’s return is more than just a game — it’s a mirror held up to a fractured bond. The Mavericks gambled and lost not just a superstar but the heartbeat of a fanbase. Now, as loyalty wavers and silence replaces cheers, one truth remains. Some goodbyes echo louder than words.