Six weeks ago, Luka Doncic was the face of the Dallas Mavericks, rocking his signature white and blue jersey. Then, out of nowhere, the NBA world turned upside down. In the most shocking trade ever, the Slovenian sensation packed his bags for Los Angeles. The deal made headlines, but the real reason? Still a mystery. Despite explanations, something feels off. But now, Dallas’ beloved legend—and Luka’s biggest fan—Dirk Nowitzki might have just cracked the code.

Nowitzki was among the many to express his state of shock after the February 2 trade that took the future legend away from Dallas. He was like the Maverick Nation, furious and disappointed. Doncic’s statue was supposed to be standing tall beside Dirk Nowitzki’s outside the AAC. But alas! Those seem like a dream now.

However, speaking on the German podcast 41 Campus, the 46-year-old Mavericks legend said: “Luka could’ve signed a new contract. This supermax contract for over $300 million and the question apparently was in the Mavericks.” According to Dirk Nowitzki, the Dallas front office seemed skeptical. They thought: “Is he worth it? Will he hold the contract that long? Will he keep his body in shape that long?” revealed the former German hoopster.

The trade didn’t just shake the league—it hit Luka’s wallet hard. By leaving Dallas, he lost his shot at a Supermax deal. That’s over $100 million gone. But here’s the twist—Dirk swears money was never Doncic’s main drive. Nowitzki also noted, “At the end of the day, Luka isn’t someone who plays just for money.” As for his drive to stay with the Lakers, as per the Mavericks legend, the Slovenian star will most likely stay.

Dirk Nowitzki’s revelation comes days after the franchise owner Patrick Dumont cleared his stance on why the trade happened. According to the boss, he looked into the future and made a move. But if we were to believe in Dirk’s information, there are contrasting opinions to debate deeply.

Patrick Dumont’s futuristic plan revealed days before Dirk Nowitzki’s assumptions

Nowitzki is a true legend of the Mavericks. He spent 2 decades with the franchise and even played his final season with Luka Doncic. Well, for the Slovenian star, it was his debut season and he had the privilege to play alongside the icon. Being on the team for so long gives a player quite an upper hand, but in Luka’s case, he had no say in his trade. The most surprising part of the story is, the 26YO allegedly didn’t know about it, and he did not see the trade coming.

But, for Patrick Dumont, the move was needed. “This was a decision about the future,” the franchise owner told CBS Sports a few days ago. “If you look at our roster today and who we have, we feel like we’ve positioned ourselves to be incredibly competitive against the best teams in the NBA.” Surely, the Mavericks have stars like Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis on the roster. But their binding power, Doncic is gone, and it’s safe to say the affected are visible amidst all the injuries and troubles.

However, winning the championship is the only target for Dumont. The last time the Mavs won, Dirk Nowitzki was playing for the team. “We want to win championships, we want to be a winning franchise for the city of Dallas and we want to be one of character, one of community involvement, and one where we sort of carry on the legacy of the Dallas Mavericks in the right way,” the owner clarified.

Therefore, the trade left fans reeling and legends in disbelief. However, Dirk Nowitzki’s shock revealed hidden doubts. Moreover, Luka Doncic lost his supermax shot yet stayed true to his game. Meanwhile, Dumont’s futuristic move hints at fresh challenges. Ultimately, the Mavericks now dance between cherished legacy and bold new dreams.