Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson criticizes Mavericks' trade of Luka Doncic to Lakers, wearing Doncic's Nike shoes in protest during his lifetime achievement award ceremony.

Legendary NBA coach Don Nelson made a sneaker statement wearing Luka Doncic's basketball shoes "in protest" of the Dallas Mavericks trade at the NBA Finals.

He was in Oklahoma City to receive the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, but took time to talk about the Doncic trade.

Former Dallas Mavericks head coach and general manager Don Nelson received the 2025 Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award Sunday, June 8, and he wore some special shoes while accepting the award. Nelson received the award while wearing Doncic's signature Jordan brand sneakers in protest of the Mavs' trade of Luka Doncic.

NBA Hall of Famer Don Nelson wasn’t a fan of the Dallas Mavericks trading Luka Doncic to the L.A. Lakers. In fact, he called it a “tremendous mistake.”

"When you have a great player…you keep him for a lifetime" - Don Nelson cites Red Auerbach's philosophy when talking about the Luka Doncic trade originally appeared on Basketball Network. Just when you thought that everyone had said their piece about the Luka Doncic trade, here comes another one. And it's not just any talking head.

Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson is clearly not a fan of how the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Dončić earlier this year, and he found a novel way of expressing his disapproval.