Klay Thompson doesn't expect the Dallas Mavericks will get a warm reception Saturday when they host the Houston Rockets in their first home game since trading superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
"Probably a lot of heartbreak amongst the fans. Probably some boos," Thompson said after Thursday's 127-120 win over the Boston Celtics, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps. "But, as a professional, you have to embrace everything, and we're paid to play this game and perform at the highest level. I don't know what to expect.
"I know Luka was so dear to every Mavs fan's heart. We've just got to win, and do it on a consistent basis, and give ourselves a chance to win the whole thing, and I think that will ease all of the fans' pain and anger. It's going to be weird, but that's what we sign up for."
Reports of the stunning deal first surfaced shortly after midnight Sunday on the East Coast, where Dallas was midway through a four-game road trip. In their first game of the post-Doncic era, the shorthanded Mavericks lost by 43 to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the sixth-largest defeat in franchise history.
The blockbuster trade has been maligned by both upset Mavs fans and players around the NBA.
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant called it "insane" and the biggest trade he's ever seen while criticizing a loyalty double standard between players and organizations, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards said he was scared for himself after Dallas "traded probably the best scorer in the NBA at 25" without giving Doncic a heads-up.
CJ McCollum of the New Orleans Pelicans, the president of the National Basketball Players Association, quipped that players need to have their bags packed "just in case" if Doncic, a five-time All-NBA selection, could be dealt with no notice.
Meanwhile, some Mavs fans reportedly requested - and received - season-ticket refunds in response to the deal. A small group brought a coffin and chanted "Sell the team" during a protest Sunday outside the American Airlines Center, and one supporter's fundraiser is over halfway to its $82,600 goal to install billboards critical of general manager Nico Harrison and the team's Adelson family owners surrounding the arena.
Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie empathized with the ire shown by fans, citing how Doncic seamlessly stepped in as the face of the franchise following Dirk Nowitzki's retirement in 2019.
"It shows what Luka meant to the community. It shows how much the fan base loves him. Still loves him," Dinwiddie said earlier Thursday. "Also, I think for a fan base that had Dirk for 20 years and seemingly right when Dirk was about to retire, they got Dirk 2.0, in a sense, it's understandable.
"Nobody is mad at Dallas fans for their reaction. With something that's emotional, you have to give it a chance to process and feel and live in that moment."
Mavericks fans will get to welcome back Doncic as a visitor for the first time when they host the Lakers on April 9.
