Luka Dončić was feeling generous ahead of the first game against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks.
On February 25, the 25-year-old Los Angeles Laker — who joined the team in a blockbuster trade earlier this month — footed the bill, along with Jordan Brand, for fans’ parking near the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.
At a lot across the street from Tom’s Sports Bar near the arena, a sign went up on Tuesday that read, “FREE PARKING” and “Courtesy of Luka,” according to a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Earlier on Tuesday, Dončić debuted a new ad with Jumpman to commemorate his new team. In the spot, Doncic enters the frame to change his “77” license plate from Texas to California, with the new plate being the Lakers’ iconic purple color.
Tuesday’s matchup between the Lakers and Mavericks marked the first game Dončić played against his former team — whose fans are immensely displeased with general manager Nico Harrison’s decision to send the generational and beloved NBA star to Los Angeles.
Fans in Dallas have been incredibly vocal about their disappointment in losing Dončić as a part of the Mavericks.
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After the trade was announced, sending NBA champion Anthony Davis to Dallas for Dončić, Mavericks fans protested the decision on social media and in person, showing up in large groups with signs that called for Harrison to step down as general manager of the team.
On Feb. 8, a group protested outside of the American Airlines Center, preparing large cutouts of Harrison and pre-planned chants to express their disappointment.
The trade has been so negatively received by Mavericks fans that the organization has had to police fan behavior in the arena. On Feb. 10, the crowd reportedly broke out into boos after arena security “took away” a sign that said “Fire Nico,” per a post on X.
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