Gut-wrenching Luka Doncic moment provides glimpse of Nuggets fans' worst nightmare

April 9th has been circled on the NBA calendar for quite a while as it marked the highly anticipated return of Luka Doncic to Dallas for the first time since being unceremoniously traded to the Lakers before the deadline.

Before the game began, it was clear this was going to be an emotional night. The Mavericks put t-shirts on every seat thanking Luka in his native Slovenian. They also introduced him last in the starting lineup and played a touching tribute video for the superstar who built his legend in a Mavericks uniform.

The video, introduction, and reaction from the crowd was so emotional that Doncic was moved to tears and sat, wiping his eyes dry with a towel for several moments while the packed Dallas crowd chanted his name in appreciation. It was truly heartbreaking to watch for a player who never wanted to, or expectced to be traded.

This could be Nikola Jokic if the Nuggets don't get it together

GIven everything that has gone in with the Nuggets over the past few days, it was impossible to watch this scene play out in Dallas and not think of Nikola Jokic and his relationship with Denver. Since firing Michael Malone and Calvin Booth, the media has been speculating about massive overhaul to the Nuggets roster.

Sadly, that even includes the doomsday scenario where the time comes that Jokic himself actually asks to be traded, or the team has no choice. It's scary to even think about, but given the past 36 hours or so, it can't be avoided.

Let's hope the Luka situation serves as a source of inspiration for the Nuggets' owners and front office; do NOT make this mistake with Jokic. Joker is the greatest player in franchise history and one of the greatest to ever play the game.

They need to treat the rest of his career with urgency for every moment and make sure that the remainder of his prime years are maximized, or Nuggets fans will be living with heartbreak and tears as Jokic returns to Denver in another uniform.