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As the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 draws near, Luka Dončić will reunite with a familiar figure within the Slovenian national team, as Donnie Nelson has been appointed as a special advisor to Slovenia.
In an interview with the Slovenian publication Ekipa 24, reported by Grant Afseth, Nelson revisited the trade that resulted in the departure of the Slovenian star from Dallas.
“This is the NBA, and trades are a part of the game; players come and go. However, it’s crucial to recognize that some individuals stand out as exceptional and hold significant importance to the community and the environment. These players should always be treated with dignity,” Nelson expressed.
“There was a collective sense of disappointment regarding Luka’s situation—not just mine, but a broader discontent. Could such a thing occur with Real Madrid? Absolutely not. And it wouldn’t have happened during my time in Dallas,” said Slovenia’s newly appointed special advisor.
“Throughout my tenure in Dallas, we consistently prioritized the needs of the community. We viewed our players as integral parts of that community. It was never a situation where we simply extracted a player’s potential, utilized them until they were no longer beneficial, and then discarded them,” Nelson explained.
During the discussion, the former General Manager and President of Basketball Operations for the Dallas Mavericks likened the treatment of Dončić to that of Dirk Nowitzki, highlighting how their circumstances differed.
“Our relationship with Dirk Nowitzki spanned 21 years, with the final three driven purely by respect. Individuals of that caliber deserve the opportunity to say farewell on their own terms, and everyone warrants a proper send-off—whether that is figurative or literal,” Donnie Nelson remarked.
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
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