Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) after the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Warriors Legend Compares Leaving Team to Luka Doncic Trade

Originally posted on Golden State Warriors on SI
By Liam Willerup | Last updated May 9, 2025 4:55 PM ET

NBA trades happen every year, big and small. Whether it's teams swapping draft picks or All-Star players on the move, the landscape of the league is constantly changing. However, this year, it was perhaps the busiest and most entertaining trade deadline in NBA history.

While players such as De'Aaron Fox, Zach LaVine, and Jimmy Butler all made their way to new teams, no bigger star moved than current Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic. After a surprise trade sent him away from the Dallas Mavericks less than a year after an NBA Finals comparison, former Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis found himself comparing his situation to Doncic's.

Monta Ellis on being traded from the Warriors:

"It’s similar to what happened to Luka."

(via @OutTheMudTL) pic.twitter.com/hUSVyB3aAo
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 9, 2025

In an interview with Memphis Grizzlies legends Zach Randolph and Tony Allen, Ellis compared his move out of Golden State to what happened with Doncic's surprise move out of Dallas. "It’s similar to what happened to Luka," Ellis shared.

Ellis began his career in Golden State in 2005, eventually becoming a 25.5 points per game scorer during the 2009-10 season. However, the team came to a crossroads when it realized they couldn't build around Ellis and Steph Curry, leading them to trade Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks in a deal around Andrew Bogut. It was a risk given Curry hadn't proved much, but one that worked out.

Monta Ellis on being traded from the Warriors:

“I love Golden State, you know what I mean? They gave me my opportunity. The way it went down is what really hurt me or affected me. And it’s similar to what happened to Luka Doncic.”

(via @OutTheMudTL) pic.twitter.com/P1ZAMKgXi0
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 9, 2025

Ellis went on to have stints with the Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, and Indiana Pacers before exiting the NBA after the 2016-17 season. He never was a 20-point-per-game scorer after leaving Golden State, leaving many to wonder what would've happened had the Warriors traded Curry instead.

This article first appeared on Golden State Warriors on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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