The Dallas Mavericks are now facing a massive drop in social media followers after the shocking trade of Luka Dončić and two other players to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Mavs shipped Dončić, Markieff Morris, and Maxi Kleber to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
In a three-day period after the trade went public, the Mavericks saw their Instagram followers drop by nearly 700,000, a loss that has many wondering if the Mavs’ fanbase is on the verge of rebellion. The team has lost more than a third of its social media following, and the numbers continue to slide, according to data from the Instatrack App.
Dončić himself, however, has seen an uptick of nearly 400,000 new Instagram followers, while the Lakers have gained nearly 185,000 followers since the deal was finalized.
For many fans, the numbers are more than just a statistic; they are a clear sign of the emotional toll the trade has taken.
A large crowd gathered outside the American Airlines Center after the trade announcement, some holding signs that read “#FreeLuka” and “Mavs Gone Mad.” Another particularly dramatic protest involved a mock funeral, with fans bringing a casket to the stadium’s outside steps.
“Luka, you were supposed to stay here forever. We love you, Luka. My kids were supposed to watch you,” Miguel Castro told Fox 4 KDFW at the fan gathering.
Fans also took to social media in droves, expressing their anger with the unbalanced trade. Several viral moments captured the heartbreak.
One of the most viral reactions came from Finesse Fave, a Mavericks fan who has now become an unexpected spokesperson for the team’s disillusioned following. Finesse’s passionate rant about the trade quickly went viral, with his tearful monologue being shared all across social media. The emotional video of him declaring, “This is the worst moment of my life,” has been viewed millions of times.
“Luka filled that stadium. Who’s going to fill it now?” he added.
For those still trying to make sense of the trade details, here’s the full package, as previously reported by The Dallas Express:
- Dallas Mavericks Receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 Lakers first-round pick
- Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
- Utah Jazz Receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Clippers second-round pick, 2025 Mavericks second-round pick
The Mavericks are scheduled to face the 76ers on Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. However, Sports Illustrated reported that Davis will not play in that game due to the pending trade.
Christie is also listed as questionable due to pending trade finalizations.
Meanwhile, Dončić, who has been recovering from a calf strain since Christmas, is expected to make his Lakers debut sometime later this week, maybe even as soon as Saturday against the Pacers, according to some reports.