“You Could Have Had Me”: Luka Doncic Gives Stinging Reality Check to Hawks Fan About Infamous Draft-Night Trade During Trash Talk

Luka Doncic engaged in a courtside verbal exchange with Atlanta Hawks fans on Monday, reminding them of the 2018 draft-night trade that sent him away. During a stoppage in play at State Farm Arena, Doncic told spectators they wished they had kept him, asserting, "You know you could have had me," while leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124–114 victory over Atlanta.

Doncic produced 32 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, and five steals during the win without teammate Austin Reaves. The performance lifted the Lakers to a 10–2 record on a six-game winning streak. Doncic reached 393 total points through his first 10 games of the 2026–27 season, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain for the most points scored in that span.