Luka Dončić’s shocking trade to the Los Angeles Lakers has left Dallas Mavericks fans in disbelief, but according to Gilbert Arenas and the Gil’s Arena crew, the move highlights a deeper reality—there are no real friendships in the NBA. In a recent episode, Arenas and his co-hosts reacted to the trade fallout, including Kyrie Irving’s response, and explored why loyalty in the league is nothing more than an illusion.
One of the main points of discussion was whether NBA players are truly friends or simply colleagues brought together by circumstance. The consensus? Most relationships in the league are built on proximity, not genuine connection.
“The idea that teammates are close friends is an illusion,” one panelist argued. “You spend so much time together, traveling, practicing, and playing, so it feels like a real bond. But once someone gets traded, those relationships often disappear.”
The group agreed that while many players appear close on the surface, their relationships don’t always extend beyond their time as teammates. They pointed out that once a player leaves a team, it’s rare for those friendships to continue, emphasizing the transactional nature of NBA relationships.
Beyond the illusion of friendship, the Gil’s Arena crew highlighted several factors that make it difficult for NBA players to maintain genuine connections, including:
- Frequent trades and roster changes – The unpredictability of team changes prevents long-term bonds from forming.
- Geographic distance – With players constantly relocating, friendships become harder to sustain.
- The business-driven nature of the sport – At the end of the day, teams treat players as assets, and personal relationships often take a backseat.
- Limited off-court interaction – While teammates may spend time together at dinners or events, that doesn’t necessarily equate to real friendship.
The conversation tied back to Luka Dončić’s departure, with the panel suggesting that even his closest teammates will eventually move on. “Fans grieve these trades, but for the players, it’s part of the job,” Arenas noted.
To further illustrate their point, the panel shared personal experiences of friendships that didn’t survive the realities of the NBA. One panelist recalled a past connection with Nick Young, explaining how their friendship faded once their careers took different paths. Another mentioned a relationship with Kevin Garnett, questioning whether their bond was genuine or simply a product of playing on the same team.
They also discussed how some players they once considered close barely kept in touch after leaving a team, reinforcing the idea that many NBA friendships exist only out of convenience.
Even beyond trades and team separations, the panel argued that ego and pride often prevent players from maintaining friendships. They pointed out that:
- Having a former teammate’s number doesn’t mean they’ll stay in touch.
- Players rarely reach out to check on each other, even if they once shared a close bond.
- Many struggle with admitting they need support, leading to fractured relationships.
“The pride factor is real,” one panelist said. “In this league, a lot of guys won’t reach out first because they don’t want to seem weak.”
As Mavericks fans come to terms with losing Dončić, the Gil’s Arena panel reinforced a hard truth: NBA friendships often don’t survive the business side of the sport. While fans and analysts dissect the impact of the trade, Dončić’s former teammates will move forward, just as they always do.
Kyrie Irving’s reaction to the trade may have sparked discussion, but as the panel pointed out, true friendships in the league are rare, and the game always comes first.
