Victor Wembanyama is an All-Star for the first time and while attending the festivities, he commented on the Lakers’ trade for Luka Doncic that will impact him and the rest of the West moving forward into the future. “I’ve watched games of both the Lakers and Mavs ever since it happened,” Wembanyama said. “But what I remember from it, what really strikes me, is how the Mavs’ fans are hurting, how they feel. It’s really something that I think was a really strong emotion. But otherwise, I think the Mavs are still contenders. The Lakers are contenders. It’s very competitive. They traded for very good players. It’s interesting. We’ll see how it goes. But in two weeks after, it’s still the craziest trade I’ve ever seen.”
Source: Lakers Nation
Source: Lakers Nation
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“It’s a lot of stuff going on there that’s going to come out” 👀👀
Tim Hardaway Sr. talks to @TermineRadio and @TheFrankIsola about the Luka trade. pic.x.com/jWUUKILbAn – 3:47 PM
“It’s a lot of stuff going on there that’s going to come out” 👀👀
Tim Hardaway Sr. talks to @TermineRadio and @TheFrankIsola about the Luka trade. pic.x.com/jWUUKILbAn – 3:47 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
New Mavericks CEO Rick Welts has a ‘superpower.’ Will it help fans move past Luka trade? dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 9:22 AM
New Mavericks CEO Rick Welts has a ‘superpower.’ Will it help fans move past Luka trade? dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 9:22 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Tune in to NBA Weekend 🚨 7-10am ET with @BGeltzNBA & @SamMitchellNBA
🤯 McClung dunk threepeat champ
🔥 Herro wins 3 point contest
👀 CP3 and Wemby being sneaky
💥 Stock Watch, Weekend Wagers, & more!
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
Call the Show: 855-622-5867 pic.x.com/lx2W5KmXLk – 7:01 AM
Tune in to NBA Weekend 🚨 7-10am ET with @BGeltzNBA & @SamMitchellNBA
🤯 McClung dunk threepeat champ
🔥 Herro wins 3 point contest
👀 CP3 and Wemby being sneaky
💥 Stock Watch, Weekend Wagers, & more!
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
Call the Show: 855-622-5867 pic.x.com/lx2W5KmXLk – 7:01 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
🗣Adam Silver was also “surprised” by Luka Doncic’s trade! pic.x.com/n8T4LFmRyE – 4:35 AM
🗣Adam Silver was also “surprised” by Luka Doncic’s trade! pic.x.com/n8T4LFmRyE – 4:35 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Adam Silver was also “surprised” by Luka Doncic’s trade, no mention of NBA Europe
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/17… – 3:50 AM
Adam Silver was also “surprised” by Luka Doncic’s trade, no mention of NBA Europe
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/17… – 3:50 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Three-peat for MacMcClung, win for Herro, disqualification for Wemby #NBAAllStarSaturdayNight
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/17… – 3:28 AM
Three-peat for MacMcClung, win for Herro, disqualification for Wemby #NBAAllStarSaturdayNight
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/17… – 3:28 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
😅 Wemby and CP3 tried to cheat the Skills Challenge and got disqualified!
pic.x.com/XlnFjlpkxX – 2:54 AM
😅 Wemby and CP3 tried to cheat the Skills Challenge and got disqualified!
pic.x.com/XlnFjlpkxX – 2:54 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
🥹 Luka and Kobe mural on the way in Los Angeles! pic.x.com/KdDgJJpQmU – 2:35 AM
🥹 Luka and Kobe mural on the way in Los Angeles! pic.x.com/KdDgJJpQmU – 2:35 AM
Joe Vardon @joevardon
Adam Silver said he is ’empathic’ toward Mavericks fans who are furious over the Luka Doncic trade, but insists team owners did not make the trade to move the Mavs out of Dallas. Reporting with @sam_amick @TheAthleticNBA nytimes.com/athletic/61391… – 9:43 PM
Adam Silver said he is ’empathic’ toward Mavericks fans who are furious over the Luka Doncic trade, but insists team owners did not make the trade to move the Mavs out of Dallas. Reporting with @sam_amick @TheAthleticNBA nytimes.com/athletic/61391… – 9:43 PM
Michael C. Wright @mikecwright
Wemby — “I mean, if the challenge let’s us do that, there’s a loophole. It means we’re not a problem.” – 9:26 PM
Wemby — “I mean, if the challenge let’s us do that, there’s a loophole. It means we’re not a problem.” – 9:26 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Victor Wembanyama thought he had a time-saving idea. The NBA DQ’ed him and Chris Paul anyway. apnews.com/article/victor… – 9:26 PM
Victor Wembanyama thought he had a time-saving idea. The NBA DQ’ed him and Chris Paul anyway. apnews.com/article/victor… – 9:26 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Muggsy Bogues standing next to Wemby is one of the craziest things you’ll see today. pic.x.com/GWarpfVmHI – 9:26 PM
Muggsy Bogues standing next to Wemby is one of the craziest things you’ll see today. pic.x.com/GWarpfVmHI – 9:26 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Controversy in All-Star Skills Challenge? Yes. And the Cavaliers won the event.
On a weekend when Adam Silver talked about respecting the All-Star event, the first thing fans saw was the Spurs’ team of CP3 Paul and Wembanyama trying to game the system
nbcsports.com/nba/news/contr… – 9:16 PM
Controversy in All-Star Skills Challenge? Yes. And the Cavaliers won the event.
On a weekend when Adam Silver talked about respecting the All-Star event, the first thing fans saw was the Spurs’ team of CP3 Paul and Wembanyama trying to game the system
nbcsports.com/nba/news/contr… – 9:16 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s extensive answer to a question about the Luka Doncic trade: “I have absolutely no knowledge or belief there were any ulterior motives.” pic.x.com/sf88nq4KvS – 9:12 PM
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s extensive answer to a question about the Luka Doncic trade: “I have absolutely no knowledge or belief there were any ulterior motives.” pic.x.com/sf88nq4KvS – 9:12 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama said it was his idea, not Chris Paul’s, to “hack” the Skills Challenge, which led to disqualification.
“Was I booed? I don’t think I was booed. I wasn’t booed, right? Chris was.” pic.x.com/SeBHbKqz6y – 9:01 PM
Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama said it was his idea, not Chris Paul’s, to “hack” the Skills Challenge, which led to disqualification.
“Was I booed? I don’t think I was booed. I wasn’t booed, right? Chris was.” pic.x.com/SeBHbKqz6y – 9:01 PM
Michael C. Wright @mikecwright
Chris Paul came out to talk after Wembanyama. So he did not decline to speak to media. – 9:01 PM
Chris Paul came out to talk after Wembanyama. So he did not decline to speak to media. – 9:01 PM
Michael C. Wright @mikecwright
Even though Wemby reiterated his stance that he’s not here to meet new friends, he said he’s “already started taking advice from players and asking questions. So, it’s already been really interesting.” – 8:56 PM
Even though Wemby reiterated his stance that he’s not here to meet new friends, he said he’s “already started taking advice from players and asking questions. So, it’s already been really interesting.” – 8:56 PM
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Wemby and CP3 disqualified in Round 1. pic.x.com/8GOP4WAFD3 – 8:35 PM
Wemby and CP3 disqualified in Round 1. pic.x.com/8GOP4WAFD3 – 8:35 PM
Stephen Noh @StephNoh
Donovan Mitchell on CP3/Wemby:
“They played to win…they was definitely cheating though.” – 8:35 PM
Donovan Mitchell on CP3/Wemby:
“They played to win…they was definitely cheating though.” – 8:35 PM
Michael C. Wright @mikecwright
Cold part is you know CP3 and Wemby strategized to WIN this thing. – 8:33 PM
Cold part is you know CP3 and Wemby strategized to WIN this thing. – 8:33 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Chris Paul and Wemby with a unique approach to the skills challenge pic.x.com/PSUegLWM7Y – 8:28 PM
Chris Paul and Wemby with a unique approach to the skills challenge pic.x.com/PSUegLWM7Y – 8:28 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Adam Silver was surprised about the Doncic-Davis trade, urges angry Mavs fans to keep faith dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 8:28 PM
Adam Silver was surprised about the Doncic-Davis trade, urges angry Mavs fans to keep faith dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 8:28 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
CP3 and Wemby have been disqualified from the Skills Challenge for not attempting their jump shots per TNT broadcast. – 8:25 PM
CP3 and Wemby have been disqualified from the Skills Challenge for not attempting their jump shots per TNT broadcast. – 8:25 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Wemby and Chris Paul have been disqualified from the skills contest, in a piece of NBA history. – 8:24 PM
Wemby and Chris Paul have been disqualified from the skills contest, in a piece of NBA history. – 8:24 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
What an odd way to NBA All-Star Saturday, especially considering Wemby was mad that Antman didn’t take the skills challenge serious last year. – 8:23 PM
What an odd way to NBA All-Star Saturday, especially considering Wemby was mad that Antman didn’t take the skills challenge serious last year. – 8:23 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul tried to “hack” the Skills Challenge by throwing up shots quickly without trying to make them to save time.
– Boos rained down from the Chase Center crowd
– The Spurs were disqualified for violating the rules by not attempting actual shots – 8:22 PM
Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul tried to “hack” the Skills Challenge by throwing up shots quickly without trying to make them to save time.
– Boos rained down from the Chase Center crowd
– The Spurs were disqualified for violating the rules by not attempting actual shots – 8:22 PM
Adam Aaronson @SixersAdam
Chris Paul one million percent reminded Wemby you don’t need to actually make the shots. This is incredible. I have chills. – 8:22 PM
Chris Paul one million percent reminded Wemby you don’t need to actually make the shots. This is incredible. I have chills. – 8:22 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Adam Silver was surprised about the Doncic-Davis trade, urges angry Mavs fans to keep faith apnews.com/article/nba-al… – 7:56 PM
Adam Silver was surprised about the Doncic-Davis trade, urges angry Mavs fans to keep faith apnews.com/article/nba-al… – 7:56 PM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
NBA commissioner Adam Silver on “The Trade” that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers. He does not believe the trade was made as a precursor to the Dallas Mavericks trying to relocate to Las Vegas. pic.x.com/PRa69SPgdx – 7:21 PM
NBA commissioner Adam Silver on “The Trade” that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers. He does not believe the trade was made as a precursor to the Dallas Mavericks trying to relocate to Las Vegas. pic.x.com/PRa69SPgdx – 7:21 PM
Lev Akabas @LevAkabas
NBA commissioner Adam Silver says he’s sympathetic towards Mavericks fans after the Luka trade, but urges them to trust their organization, saying that “time will tell” if it was a poor trade or not pic.x.com/LRyh8zKApF – 7:20 PM
NBA commissioner Adam Silver says he’s sympathetic towards Mavericks fans after the Luka trade, but urges them to trust their organization, saying that “time will tell” if it was a poor trade or not pic.x.com/LRyh8zKApF – 7:20 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Adam Silver says there is “no doubt” in his mind that owners of the Mavericks bought the team to have it in Dallas, and that there were no “ulterior motives” to the Luka Doncic trade, which he said he was as surprised as everyone else by when it happened. – 7:20 PM
Adam Silver says there is “no doubt” in his mind that owners of the Mavericks bought the team to have it in Dallas, and that there were no “ulterior motives” to the Luka Doncic trade, which he said he was as surprised as everyone else by when it happened. – 7:20 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on the Luka Doncic trade: “Whether or not history will ultimately judge this as a smart trade, [the Mavericks] did what they think was in the best interest of their organization. … [Mavericks fans] should believe in their organization.” – 7:19 PM
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on the Luka Doncic trade: “Whether or not history will ultimately judge this as a smart trade, [the Mavericks] did what they think was in the best interest of their organization. … [Mavericks fans] should believe in their organization.” – 7:19 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Silver said he believes Mavs ownership is committed to Dallas and does not have ulterior motives with the Luka Doncic trade – 7:18 PM
Silver said he believes Mavs ownership is committed to Dallas and does not have ulterior motives with the Luka Doncic trade – 7:18 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Adam Silver said he was “surprised” when Luka was traded and had no idea that was on the horizon. Silver says he’s “empathetic” toward Mavs fans, but he’s “sympathetic to the Mavericks organization “ and they did what they “thought was best.” Says Mavs aren’t moving. – 7:18 PM
Adam Silver said he was “surprised” when Luka was traded and had no idea that was on the horizon. Silver says he’s “empathetic” toward Mavs fans, but he’s “sympathetic to the Mavericks organization “ and they did what they “thought was best.” Says Mavs aren’t moving. – 7:18 PM
Michael C. Wright @mikecwright
Source said SA flew its massage therapist to San Francisco, along with the physical therapist and performance coach to put Wembanyama through his usual pre-game routine – even for the Kia Skills Challenge – because “he takes it so seriously.” – 6:54 PM
Source said SA flew its massage therapist to San Francisco, along with the physical therapist and performance coach to put Wembanyama through his usual pre-game routine – even for the Kia Skills Challenge – because “he takes it so seriously.” – 6:54 PM
More on this storyline
Welts told The Dallas Morning News much of his first year as CEO will be spent addressing the Mavericks’ arena needs, though he and Dumont stress the franchise intends to fulfill its American Airlines Center lease, which expires in July 2031. “This will look nothing like Chase Center; it will look nothing like the Intuit Dome,” Welts said. “This will hopefully be the greatest expression of what Maverick fans would expect when they walk into the arena to see a Mavericks game. “It will have everything about Texas and Dallas that we can bring to it, to give it a shape and form that will be a foundation for economic competition over the next 30 or 40 years.” -via Dallas Morning News / February 16, 2025
Dave McMenamin: Highlights from Dalton Knecht’s media availability at the All-Star Rising Stars practice: Dalton Knecht on the rescinded trade with Charlotte: “It’s strange. I’m one of the few people that’s ever been traded and then come back, so it’s been a crazy journey. I’m just glad to be back and be a part of the team. I get to learn from Luka now. I had AD, Bron and now I’m with Luka and Bron. So, it’s crazy. I get to learn from a lot of greats” -via Instagram / February 16, 2025
Dave McMenamin: Dalton Knecht on the best advice he’s received in the NBA: “D-Lo, he gave me the best advice. Right after a game, just move on. Don’t care about how you did. Just move on because you got the next game coming towards you. No matter how high or how low that game was, you got to move on and be ready to play the next one and get better.” -via Instagram / February 16, 2025
Tom Orsborn: It’s official: Wemby and CP have been disqualified from the Skills Challenge for failing to take 3 valid shots during their first attempt. CP argued his case before telling an official “I’m fine” after the the ruling came down. -via Bluesky / February 15, 2025
Tom Orsborn: Victor Wembanyama said the strategy that led to the DQ was his. Asked if he might have outsmarted himself, he said, “It was a good strategy, but I don’t know….It’s just not that big a deal.” -via Bluesky / February 15, 2025
Tom Orsborn: Asked about getting disqualified from the Skills Challenge, Chris Paul said, “We tried something that we thought could win, to see if we had the best time. It was fun.” -via Bluesky / February 15, 2025
