LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Slovenian star Luka Doncic said Sunday he thought he would spend his entire National Basketball Association (NBA) career in Dallas, thanking fans in Texas for making it feel like home a day after the Mavericks abruptly traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Seven years ago, I came here as a teenager to pursue my dream of playing basketball at the highest level,” Doncic wrote in a message to fans posted on X.

“I thought I’d spend my career here and I wanted so badly to bring you a championship.”

“The love and support you all have given me is more than I could have ever dreamed of. For a young kid from Slovenia coming to the US for the first time, you made North Texas feel like home.”

Doncic, a Euro League Most Valuable Player (MVP) as a teenager, has established himself as a star since arriving in Dallas in 2018.

The 25-year-old, who led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season and was a finalist for MVP honors, was expected to be the face of the Mavs for years to come.

Instead, it was Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka who was looking forward to having “a one-of-a-kind, young global superstar” to lead the club now enjoying the final stages of superstar LeBron James’ career.

There was emotion as well from James, who has forged a strong bond with Davis in six seasons together that included a title together in 2020.

“Love you, my dog. Go crazy over there,” James posted on Instagram over a photo of him and Davis embracing on court, a weeping emoji completing the post.

After posting his heartfelt message to Dallas, Doncic looked toward the future with a post showing him in a Lakers uniform.

“Grateful for this amazing opportunity,” he wrote.

“Basketball means everything to me, and no matter where I play the game I’ll do so with the same joy, passion and goal — to win championships.”

Meanwhile, Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison defended the jaw-dropping trade that sent Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for Davis as a shell-shocked NBA struggled to comprehend the deal.

Dallas executive Harrison defended the deal amid an outcry from the franchise’s fans on social media.

Harrison insisted that the arrival of Davis had the potential to turn Dallas into title contenders.

“We think defense wins championships and we’re bringing in one of the best two-way players in the league,” Harrison said.

“We’re excited to feel like we’re built to win now as well as in the future.”

Asked if he could understand the frustration of fans at seeing a generational talent being traded away, Harrison replied: “I’m sorry they’re frustrated, but it’s something that we believe in as an organization that’s going to make us better.”