On Saturday night, Ben Collins watched “Flow,” the animated film about a cat finding friendship amid flood. It left him feeling optimistic, but that quickly turned to despair when he learned about Luka Doncic’s trade to the Lakers, calling it a significant betrayal. Collins expressed dismay as he shared his feelings during a live podcast episode.

Henderson, another devoted fan, echoed similar sentiments. He described the trade as devastating for the team and fanbase, characterizing it as a potential franchise-ruining decision. The sentiment that Doncic was more than just a player, but a beacon of hope for Mavs fans, permeated discussions online and within the community.

As the news spread, fans took to American Airlines Arena, displaying signs of outrage regarding the trade. Collins stated, “This trade is so bad that the on-its-face explanation is either the biggest case of malpractice in the history of professional sports, or there’s something fishy happening.”

Both Collins and Henderson fear a substantial decline in interest for the Mavericks, with fans disheartened by the move and questioning the future direction of their beloved team.