Luka Dončić reached out to Jalen Brunson after the Knicks won the NBA Finals, a gesture of friendship between two players who were once teammates with the Dallas Mavericks.
## What happened?
The Mavericks let Brunson walk after the 2021-22 season, and then traded Dončić to the Lakers two-and-a-half years later.
Despite these moves, the two players have maintained a close relationship.
Brunson recently confirmed in a Spanish interview with the YouTube channel DrafteadosNBA that Dončić texted him after the Knicks' championship win.
## Why it matters for Luka Dončić
Dončić's text to Brunson shows that their friendship has endured despite the Mavericks' decisions.
The Mavericks' handling of Dončić and Brunson's careers has been widely criticized, with many considering it one of the biggest mistakes in recent NBA history.
## What comes next?
The Knicks' NBA Finals win marks a new chapter for Brunson, who played a key role in the team's championship run.
Dončić, on the other hand, will look to lead the Lakers to a championship in the upcoming season.
And with their friendship still strong, it will be interesting to see how their careers unfold in the future.
But for now, Dončić is happy to see his friend succeed, and Brunson is grateful for the support.
So the two players will continue to follow each other's careers, even if they are no longer teammates.
The 2021-22 season was a breakout year for Brunson, who averaged 16.3 points and 4.8 assists per game.
Dončić, who was just 23 years old at the time, averaged 28.4 points and 8.7 assists per game.
Their performances that season made them one of the most exciting young backcourts in the NBA.
But the Mavericks' decision to let Brunson walk and trade Dončić has left many wondering what could have been.
As it stands, the two players will have to settle for being friends and rivals, rather than teammates.
And while their careers have taken different paths, their friendship remains a constant.
The Mavericks' mistakes have been well-documented, but Dončić and Brunson's friendship is a reminder that even in the business of sports, relationships can endure.
Dončić's text to Brunson after the Knicks' win was a heartfelt gesture, and a testament to the bond they formed during their time together in Dallas.
The two players have come a long way since their days as teammates, but their friendship remains strong.
And as they continue to navigate their careers, they will always have each other's support.
The NBA is a competitive league, but it's also a fraternity of players who have been through similar experiences.
Dončić and Brunson's friendship is a reminder of that, and a testament to the power of relationships in sports.
Their story is one of friendship and perseverance, and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds in the future.
The 2024-25 season is just around the corner, and Dončić and Brunson will be looking to lead their respective teams to championship wins.
But no matter what happens, their friendship will remain a constant.
And that's what makes their story so compelling.
The NBA is full of talented players, but it's the relationships between them that make the game truly special.
Dončić and Brunson's friendship is a reminder of that, and a testament to the power of sports to bring people together.
Their bond will continue to endure, even as they navigate the ups and downs of their careers.
And as they look to the future, they will always have each other's support.
The Mavericks may have mishandled their careers, but Dončić and Brunson's friendship is a reminder that some things are more important than wins and losses.
Their story is one of friendship and perseverance, and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds in the future.
The NBA is a competitive league, but it's also a fraternity of players who have been through similar experiences.
Dončić and Brunson's friendship is a reminder of that, and a testament to the power of relationships in sports.