Allie LaForce gives chilling report about potential hostile fan reaction to Luka Dončić trade

The Dallas Mavericks are in serious danger of getting ripped for making one of the worst trades in NBA history if this Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis deal doesn’t get them a championship. But they’re not in any physical danger, right? NBA on TNT reporter Allie LaForce raised the issue on Thursday.

Dallas pulled off arguably the most shocking trade in NBA history with the Los Angeles Lakers last weekend. It was shocking because it featured two superstars and seemingly came out of nowhere. It was even more shocking because everyone assumed Dončić, at 25 years old and fresh off an NBA Finals appearance, was destined to be a Maverick for life. Instead, Dallas took someone who is already a global star and has the potential of breaking onto the NBA’s Mount Rushmore of players, and gifted them to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Mavericks fans are still trying to cope with the trade. And apparently their reaction has been strong enough that it encouraged Allie LaForce to issue a public safety announcement ahead of the Mavericks’ nationally televised matchup with the Boston Celtics Thursday night.

“One big concern, though, is just the safety of the (Mavericks) players and the front office going back to Dallas. We hope fans make the wise decision and remember that this is a game and that lives are far more important.” – Allie LaForce #NBA pic.twitter.com/O28x06QHZG

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 7, 2025

“One big concern though is the safety of the players, the front office, going back to Dallas,” LaForce said during TNT’s pregame coverage. “We hope fans make the wise decision and remember this is a game and lives are far more important”

Maybe we’re missing something. Maybe something happened behind the scenes that we don’t know about that Allie LaForce is alluding to, like we’ve seen with Kirk Herbstreit calling out Ohio State fans over Ryan Day and detailing what he dealt with privately.

Mavericks fans have spent the last week airing their grievances in the wake of seeing Dončić get dealt. They’ve protested, they’ve boycotted, they’ve insulted the franchise and general manager Nico Harrison. Surely, some may have gone too far. But for the most part, they’ve acted like fans. The statement from Allie LaForce is correct, this is a game and lives are far more important. But it may have left a national audience of basketball fans with more questions than answers.