“For a young kid from Slovenia coming to the U.S. for the first time, you made North Texas feel like home”. Just the start of Luka Doncic’s farewell message would be enough to make a grown man emotional. Arriving from Real Madrid, the Slovenian devoted the last 7 years to becoming the face of the Dallas Mavericks. Under his and Kyrie Irving’s leadership, the team reached new heights and even made the NBA Finals after decades.
Unfortunately, that journey was unexpectedly halted less than 24 hours ago, when a shocking deal confirmed the player’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. As Doncic says his goodbye to his Texas fans, he receives assistance in spreading the message from his fiancée.
A few hours ago, Anamaria Goltes took to her official Instagram account to share a series of stories with her 218,000 followers. She highlighted the post put out by Luka Doncic, that carried his official farewell statement. Touching base on the beginnings of his NBA journey, the Slovenian highlighted his belief that the Mavericks team would be his home for the duration of his NBA career. He believed that one day, he would win a championship for the team, which wouldn’t be possible now.
He thanked everyone from the Mavericks community, including the fans. The heartfelt message compelled Anamaria Goltes to write “Thank You”, with a blue heart emoji, on the next story. After everything that her fiancée expressed, was there anything more that needed to be said?
The relationship between Anamaria Goltes and Luka Doncic is almost as old as the latter’s basketball career. According to People, they first met in Croatia at a young age, and have been a couple since 2016. While Doncic went on to make a name for himself in Real Madrid and then the NBA, Goltes found success in modeling. From becoming an ambassador for Lisca Lingerie and signing with Immortal Models Management to doing several campaigns for Zlatarna Celje and appearing on the cover of Cosmopolitan Slovenia, Goltes became a recognizable personality in Slovenia. Her association with Luka Doncic only helped that.
The couple has called Dallas their home for more than half a decade. Transitioning from Europe to the South Side of the US would be a big adjustment for anyone. In an interview with Cosmopolitan SI, Goltes highlighted how a new place and new culture prompted her to develop a new way of thinking. She had to find new local grocery stores, pick a gym, and, certainly not the least important thing, make new friends. While it took some time, the model was able to give a positive update about a year later.
“Dallas is a lot like Europe,” said Goltes in one of her Instagram stories. “I love Dallas. It reminds me of home.”
Well, now the couple will have to relocate again. It’s also happening only about a year and one month after Luka and Anamaria welcomed their daughter Gabriela. Furthermore, there was no definite timeline for when Luka and Anamaria would get married. However, there is a good chance that if they hadn’t already made some arrangements, then Texas is out.
The move will be a big change in the couple’s life. To make matters worse, it will not allow Mark Cuban to give the wedding gift he had promised the Slovenian.
Mark Cuban Had Promised Luka Doncic and Anamaria Goltes ‘A Championship’ as a Wedding Gift
Luka Doncic proposed to Anamaria Goltes back in July 2023. Ironically, or maybe planned that way, Doncic proposed on July 7th (77), which coincides with the player’s jersey number. Amongst the first people questioned from the Mavericks squad about the engagement was the ‘Shark Tank’ billionaire. After all, Mark Cuban was still the majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks back then. A wedding gift from a billionaire would certainly be a ‘swanky’ one. However, Cuban revealed that he had not figured out the gift back then. As the reporter continued being persistent, Cuban gave in. He replied “A championship”. Woah!
NBA, Basketball Herren, USA Detroit Pistons at Dallas Mavericks, Apr 21, 2021 Dallas, Texas, USA Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic 77 laughs with owner Mark Cuban after the game against the Detroit Pistons at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports, 21.04.2021 21:59:48, 15943428, Mark Cuban, American Airlines Center, Luka Doncic, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, NBA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKevinxJairajx 15943428
Well, Mark Cuban had almost lived up to his promise. The team he helped built set a 50-32 win record during the 2023-24 season. After going through a competitive field in the playoffs, the Mavericks even reached the NBA Finals for the first time since the 2011 season. Unfortunately, Luka Doncic and co failed to level up to the Boston Celtics and lost by a 4-1 record. Mark Cuban would later go on to give away his majority ownership. If that wasn’t the final nail in the coffin, Luka Doncic’s trade now prevents the billionaire from fulfilling his promise. Fortunately, LeBron James and Co may still manage to give that gift to the Slovenian.
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