No one expected the Dallas Mavericks to let go of Luka Doncic, let alone willingly trade him to the Los Angeles Lakers. But that’s exactly what they did in February. Now, two months since this betrayal, it’s time for Luka to face his former team once again. And his feelings about this upcoming meeting may surprise you.

The first and last time Luka faced the Mavs was shortly after the trade. It was a riot! The Lakers dominated the Mavs from start to finish. And we got that iconic shot of ‘LukaMagic’ staring down Nico Harisson after sinking one from beyond the arc. But after that game, he said, “Closure is going to take a while, I think.”

It was clear that Luka Doncic was still feeling raw over the Mavs trading him. But unlike the last time, Luka seems slightly more optimistic as he braces for a return to Dallas, a place he called home for nearly 8 years.

“I’m looking forward to being back in Dallas…It’s gonna be very emotional for me, for sure,” he revealed. But what about the closure? Doncic admitted that he still didn’t know if that was yet in the picture.

“I don’t know about closure. It’s obviously a lot, but like I said, I’m excited to be back here. I know the fans [are] gonna appreciate me being back here. So I mean, honestly, I don’t know how I’m gonna feel. But I’m just excited to be back,” said Luka.

It’s clear that the Slovenian superstar still doesn’t know exactly how to feel about the whole ordeal. But that’s to be expected. After all, it’s only been 2 months since he moved to LA. Even so, as Luka processes his feelings about the situation, it’s good that he’s focusing on the positives. Moreover, he gets to reunite with his former teammates and play in front of the fans who still cheer his name. And ahead of his return, they’ll love finding out that Luka is also excited about his return to Dallas.

And it’s not just us, y’all, or Doncic. His former coach believes it, too.

Jason Kidd reveals how Mavs fans should act upon Luka Doncic’s return

Luka Doncic was loved in Dallas like few other players are by their clubs. From ex-owner Mark Cuban to even a casual fan of the Mavericks, everyone loved the 26-year-old. And like we mentioned earlier, the fans at the AAC still cheer his name. So it’s obvious that the 5x All-Star will be cheered when he comes home. Even if he’ll be donning the Lakers‘ purple and gold this time.

But Mavs head coach Jason Kidd thinks Mavs fans have every right to cheer for Doncic. In fact, he thinks they should. “There’s no doubt that (the fans) have that right and they should cheer for him. He’s one that has entertained since his rookie year. I think it’s safe to say that they should cheer,” said Kidd.

But he followed that up with an important caveat: “But for us, it’s about trying to find a way to win.”

It seems Kidd realizes two things. First, the fans will cheer for Luka because of the joy he gave them during his time in Dallas. The man carried them to an NBA finals, for crying out loud! And second, regardless of the emotions that seeing Doncic back at the AAC carries, the goal remains the same. Both Luka Doncic and his current team, as well as his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, will be doing everything in their power to win.

And that’s something that has not changed for them. Even if it means that now only one of them can get what they want.