Former Maverick Ryan Broekhoff and Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell react to shock Luka Doncic trade

It’s the trade that left the entire basketball world in shock. Former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell and Luka Doncic’s rookie-year teammate Ryan Broekhoff have weighed in.

Former Dallas Maverick Ryan Broekhoff says his ex-club didn’t receive enough for giving up the franchise’s marquee man Luka Doncic, while Montrezl Harrell is stunned the Mavs let the generational talent go at all.

The basketball world is still coming to grips with the Mavericks’ NBA-shaking decision to trade Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The five-time All-Star has joined forces with the legendary LeBron James in LA alongside Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, while big man Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick have landed in Dallas.

Luka Doncic has joined LeBron James in LA. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

Broekhoff and Doncic played alongside each other as rookies for Dallas in the 2018-19 season.

He compared the decision to ship out the generational talent to moving Dirk Nowitzki, the franchise’s greatest player.

“Dallas didn’t get enough in return,” Broekhoff said.

“AD’s (Davis) fit is ok for the Mavs but, for Luka, to only get one first-round pick (back) is wild.

“Fans are upset, that’s for sure. It’s like trading Dirk.”

Adelaide 36ers NBL star Harrell said he thought the Slovenian would be a one-team player in the NBA.

Harrell, a former NBA Sixth Man of the Year, was as shocked as anyone in the basketball world by the news the Mavericks had pulled the trigger Doncic.

Former Maverick Ryan Broekhoff says Dallas didn’t receive enough compensation. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFP

Montrezl Harrell says every NBA player has been put on notice. Picture: Josh Chadwick/Getty Images

“I was just surprised that the Mavs made the choice to move him,” Harrell told Code Sports.

“I definitely thought he was going to be one of those people that was going to have the career of a Dirk Nowitzki or Kobe Bryant, being in a place that he never left and was able to end out his career there.

“Especially with the Mavs’ (part) owner, Mark Cuban, the way he always had high praise and talked about him.”

The trade news sent social media into a spiral on Sunday and dropped while Harrell was on the court with the 36ers, facing off against South East Melbourne.

The 31-year-old, who has played for the Houston Rockets, LA Clippers, Lakers, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers — says it put every NBA player on notice.

“It goes to show that nobody’s job is fully secure, you’ve got blockbuster trades going on with guys like that so that’s just definitely let everybody else in the NBA know that your job is never safe,” Harrell said while at a Reebok campaign shoot in Melbourne.

“You’ve got to come in and do the work, do the job that’s asked of you and if you’re not doing that at a high enough level for them, you can be moved.”

As for his own NBA moves, with the NBL at the pointy end of the season conversation naturally turns to what comes next for the ‘Monsta’ and if a return to the big league is on the cards.

Montrezl Harrell is teaming up with Reebok to launch the Engine A shoe. Picture: Reebok

But it’s the comparison between the NBA and NBL’s season lengths that proves the biggest concern for Harrell, who also returned from a knee injury for NBL25.

“It’s still a work in progress, it’s one of those situations where it’s just the way the game goes, the way the NBA analysts look at the game,” Harrell said.

“You have to understand, it’s a short season, not even half of the NBA season that’s being played, 30 games here, NBA you play 82 as a regular season.

“It’s one of those things if I can do it across a longer period of time, as this is a quick season.

“But at the end of the day, I’m just playing the game of basketball at this point of time.

“I’m blessed to be able to come off a knee injury, my ACL and meniscus, it’s my first season to come back and play after that type of injury.

“I feel like my sights are still to get to the NBA but I’m not going to kill myself to do that.”

Harrell says the NBL has been a blessing for his return from injury. Picture: Josh Chadwick/Getty Images

Coming off a two-game losing streak, and with one to play for the regular season, Adelaide is looking set for a finals berth.

But with the 36ers form a hot topic, the big man declares they are not the only ones showing inconsistent form.

“That’s basketball, everybody is going to have ups and downs, everybody is going to have time on the court where you’re not looking your best.

“Look at Cairns knocking off Illawarra, it’s a game of runs, it’s who is able to withstand the other team’s runs.

“It’s not turning inward, not panicking but getting it (the game) back within one or two plays.”

The 36ers are currently sixth on the NBL standings, and will close the regular season against Perth on Friday night.

Originally published as Former Maverick Ryan Broekhoff and Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell react to shock Luka Doncic trade