Former Head Coach Don Nelson Wears Special Sneakers, Calls Out Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic Trade

Garima Ranawat

Last updated: June 10, 2025

3 min read

NBA legend Don Nelson rips Mavericks for trading Luka Doncic.

Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Legendary NBA coach Don Nelson called out the Dallas Mavericks for their shocking trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year. The Mavericks left the entire fraternity stunned when they announced that they traded Doncic to the Lakers. Instead, they got Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. The sudden move prompted criticism and kept GM Nico Harrison in headlines throughout the season.

Several NBA pundits sided with Doncic, who himself didn’t see the move coming. Recently, NBA legend Nelson also opened up on the deal and slammed the franchise for the same. Not only this, but he also wore the Slovenian’s new Nike shoes in protest of the trade.

Nelson, who was at the helm of the Mavericks’ coaching staff from 1997 to 2005, said, “I want everybody to know I’m wearing Luka’s shoes, his new shoes from Nike. I’m wearing them in protest (of the trade) from Dallas. I think it was a tremendous mistake by the Dallas franchise to trade him and I want everybody to know that.”

Don Nelson on the Luka Doncic trade: "I'm wearing Luka's new shoes from Nike and I'm wearing them in protest for the trade from Dallas. I think it was a tremendous mistake by the Dallas franchise to trade him." pic.twitter.com/jo5kuac7gN
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) June 9, 2025

The Mavericks’ strategy to improve their defense backfired brutally as Davis suffered an adductor strain in his debut game on February 8. The injury kept the ten-time NBA All-Star out for six weeks, during which the Mavericks lost their other players due to injury. One of their biggest setbacks came in the form of Kyrie Irving’s season-ending injury. The Mavericks finished the season on tenth spot, and even failed to secure a play-in berth.

Don Nelson Receives 2025 Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award

Nelson, who served as the head coach of several NBA franchises for 31 seasons, received the 2025 Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award. From coaching the Milwaukee Bucks to the Golden State Warriors, the New York Knicks and the Dallas Mavericks, Nelson is the one of only two coaches in the history of the league to have led three teams to at least 250 wins (Milwaukee, Dallas, Golden State).

The 85-year-old bid adieu to his coaching career in 2010 as the NBA’s all-time winningest coach with 1,335 wins. Later in 2012, he was Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Nelson’s final stint came with the Golden State Warriors, after he joined the franchise for the second time in 2006. Currently, he ranks second in all-time wins and games coached (2,398).

Nelson began his coaching career with the Bucks in 1976 and guided the team for 11 seasons. Upon receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, he said, “I’m extremely grateful and humbled to receive this incredible honor and join the exclusive list of coaches who have preceded me.” Talking about Chuck Daly, he said, “Chuck was an absolute genius in all facets of the game and life. I’m glad I had the opportunity to coach against him, learn from him, and benefit from his knowledge. To say that I’m deeply touched to receive an award that bears his name would be an understatement. This is special.”

It is to be noted that Chuck has been living in Hawaii ever since his retirement. He generally stays away from the game.

Dallas Mavericks

Don Nelson

Luka Doncic

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.