Luka Doncic Reportedly Won’t Live in Texas Again

NBA Point Guard Luka Doncic reportedly won’t live in Texas again. Doncic has been a star player for the Los Angeles Lakers, but the hot-button topic of him living in the “Lone Star State” came up in a recent episode of the “Sundae Conversation” podcast with host and former North Carolina Tar Heels walk-on Quarterback Caleb Pressley. Doncic made his thoughts clear on the matter. Here’s why.

Luka Doncic Won’t Live in Texas

In a recent episode of the “Sundae Conversation” podcast, Caleb Pressley asked Luka Doncic if he’d ever live in the “Lone Star State,” even after his playing days are over. Doncic, 26, took a second to ponder before responding to Pressley, 32, with what appeared to be a confident “no.” Pressley followed up by asking Doncic if he’d consider moving to Houston, and Doncic declined again.

Pressley’s questions came just days after Houston Rockets Owner Tillman Fertitta revealed that he and President Donald Trump discussed the Luka Doncic trade. Fertitta, 67, said, “I was in the White House, the Oval Office, with the Prime Minister of Italy and the President (Trump) last Thursday. We talked about the Houston Cougars for at least a minute and a half. And then we talked about that d—— Luka Doncic trade that Dallas did.”

It’s unclear if Fertitta’s comments sparked Pressley’s questions. However, Doncic’s responses to Pressley showed that Doncic was uninterested in living in Texas, whether he hypothetically gets traded to the Houston Rockets in the future or once he retires from the NBA. Previously, Doncic shared he finds solace at his family’s farm in Slovenia. Doncic was born and raised in Ljubljana, Slovenia, before moving to Madrid, Spain, as a teenager.

Luka Doncic’s Goodbye To Dallas

After being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Doncic posted a heartfelt message to the Dallas Mavericks fans. Doncic wrote, “Seven years ago, I came here as a teenager to pursue my dream of playing basketball at the highest level … 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.”

Doncic continued, “For a young kid from Slovenia coming to the U.S. for the first time, you made North Texas feel like home … In good times and bad, from injuries to the NBA Finals, your support never changed. Thank you not only for sharing my joy in our best moments, but also for lifting me up when I needed it most.” Doncic’s message appeared to come from the heart, but some Mavericks fans remain devastated by the Mavericks’ trade.

Final Thoughts

NBA analyst and former NBA Forward Charles Barkley recently gave Dallas Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison some advice. Barkley, 62, said of Harrison, 52, “Listen, man, I consider you a friend of mine, Nico Harrison. I consider you a friend of mine, I wish you nothing but the best … I thought you did a good job last year with the Mavs, and obviously, whatever happened this year didn’t work out. Man, don’t do no more press conferences.”

Barkley continued, “I don’t even know what you’re doing, I really don’t … Like, I got sympathy and love for you, but I have zero idea what you’re trying to do. This war is over, brother. You taking the L. I hope you keep your job, I hope that team get healthy, but man, don’t do anymore interviews. Please don’t.” Barkley has a point. Until recently, Doncic hasn’t spoken about Texas, while Harrison has spoken to the media about Doncic several times.

Some people, including Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont, have accused Doncic of being lazy. However, Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka recently praised Doncic’s work ethic. Pelinka said that Doncic has been putting in the work daily. Doncic’s work ethic might not solve the Lakers’ struggles though. The Lakers will play in a do-or-die Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Pacific.