Klay Thompson doesn’t know quite what to expect when the Mavericks take the floor for their first home since the franchise-altering trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers.
Thompson said he is bracing to hear boos from heartbroken Mavericks fans during Saturday’s game against the Houston Rockets at Dallas’ American Airlines Center.
“It’s going to be weird, but that’s what we sign up for,” Thompson said after Thursday night’s win in Boston.
The Mavs were in the midst of a road trip when the front office pulled off the stunning blockbuster that sent Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to Los Angeles for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick.
Still only 25, Doncic already boasts five first-team All-NBA selections and led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals eight months ago.
“Things that have taken place, our sympathy goes to the fans, and understanding that they can be upset, but at the same time, as a coach, the guys that I have, I’ve got to put them in position to be successful against Houston,” head coach Jason Kidd said.
“It’s freedom of speech. That’s why they are called fans, but for us, it’s a matter of getting this to move forward.”
An online fund-raiser to surround the American Airlines Center with billboards protesting Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and Miriam Adelson’s ownership group had raised more than $40,000 as of Friday morning.
Fans have also shared plans to protest during Saturday’s game, with one on Reddit encouraging others to bring “Fire Nico” and “sell the team” signs and another saying they would wear a paper bag over their head.
“I know Luka was so dear to every Mavs fan’s heart,” Thompson said. “We’ve just got to win, and do it on a consistent basis, and give ourselves a chance to win the whole thing, and that, I think, will alleviate all the fans’ pain and anger.”
The trade stunned Doncic, who spent his first six-and-a-half NBA seasons in Dallas and said he expected to play his entire career there.
“That’s their decision, so I have no comment on that,” Doncic said Tuesday during an introductory press conference. “They made a decision. I don’t know why. But that’s their decision, so I can’t do nothing about it.”
Shortly after the trade became official Sunday, Harrison pointed to the 6-10 Davis’ defensive prowess as a reason for making the deal, but he also said the Mavericks “got out in front of what could have been a tumultuous summer.”
Had he not been traded, Doncic would have been eligible this offseason for a supermax contract worth $345 million over five years. Harrison and Doncic both said the point guard never indicated an unwillingness to sign a supermax extension.
Davis, a 10-time All-Star who turns 32 this month, is expected to make his Mavericks debut on Saturday. Doncic, meanwhile, is expected to play his first game for the Lakers on Saturday against the Pacers in Los Angeles.
Following the trade, Mavericks fans brought signs, Doncic jerseys and even a coffin to the American Airlines Center and left them near a statue of franchise icon Dirk Nowitzki.
“Nobody is mad at Dallas fans for their reaction,” Spencer Dinwiddie said, according to ESPN. “With something that’s emotional, you have to give it a chance to process and feel and live in that moment.”