While fans may still be heartbroken over Doncic’s trade, the love between the once teammates remains strong.
Feb 25, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts with Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena.
Though the Luka Doncic trade from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers is still hitting some fans hard, the Lakers point guard still has love for his first NBA brotherhood.
On Sunday, March 23, Doncic took to his Instagram Story to share some birthday love to Mavs guard Kyrie Irving. “Happy birthday hermano!!!” Doncic wrote underneath a photo of him and Irving high-fiving on the court.
Doncic and Irving have long been friends, and have spoken highly of each other on several occasions during Doncic’s NBA run. Even during the trade, Irving has had Doncic’s back.
Luka Doncic / Instagram
During a Feb. 20 interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Irving emphasized the importance of loyalty among his teammates and friends, even amid the trade and mixed media narratives.
“For my own peace of mind—because we spent two years together not just as teammates, but as men—I hope we can step back from the public criticism and focus on the kindness and compassion we have for each other,” Irving said. “That’s what’s real, every day—not just in a single moment or a soundbite that can be taken out of context.”
