By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Being both selected in the 2018 NBA Draft, Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have experienced a joint time in the league, despite shining with different teams. The first cemented his legacy as a legend of the Dallas Mavericks, while the second emerged as Oklahoma’s leader.
As it’s happening in these hours with the Slovenian phenomenon, however, the Canadian star was also traded out of nowhere after his first campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Reacting to the breaking news, the Thunder‘s star remembered what happened to him. “I learned that lesson the hard way in my first year in the NBA. I got traded out of the blue. Didn’t see it coming. It doesn’t surprise me any more than myself getting traded a long time ago,” he said.
SGA on Luka being traded: “I learned that lesson the hard way in my first year in the NBA. I got traded out the blue. Didn’t see it coming. It doesn’t surprise me anymore than myself getting traded a long time ago. I found out it was a business my first season.” pic.twitter.com/iwObFuvc4K
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) February 2, 2025
“I found out it was a business my first season. And no matter what, that will always stay with you. I always say that no matter how untouchable you think you are, you never know. There’s always something like this. That’s how my mindset is and I guess that keeps me a little bit of an edge to make sure I take care of what I need to lead the team I’m with,” he followed.
While facing each other on numerous occasions during their shared time in the NBA, they led their respective countries in Slovenia-Canada, matchup at the Quarter-Finals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
On that occasion, Canada prevailed 100-89 with Shai’s double-double of 31 points and 10 rebounds, while Luka Doncic finished with a 26-point losing effort.
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images