But Dallas's stunning about-face with its franchise player may have hit those closest to home harder than anyone. Mavericks fans, shocked and hurt by the trade, came out in droves to protest the deal outside of American Airlines Arena before Sunday's hockey game between the Dallas Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Mavericks fans are in shock after the team traded away Luka Dončić—and it’s not just the roster that’s changing. The team has lost nearly a million Instagram followers, and the reaction online and in Dallas is unlike anything we’ve seen in Mavs history.

As part of the stunning three-team trade, the Lakers received Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, the Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick and the Jazz received Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick and the Mavericks’ 2025 second-round selection.