Klay Thompson says the Dallas Mavericks must work to convince disgruntled supporters that the decision to trade Luka Doncic will work out.
The Mavs shocked the NBA last week when they agreed to send five-time All-Star and MVP candidate Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, receiving Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick in return.
While Doncic made a winning start with the Lakers on Monday, putting up 14 points in a 132-113 win over the Utah Jazz, the Mavs have gone 2-3 since the trade went through.
They were beaten 129-128 in overtime by the Sacramento Kings on Monday, with over 1,000 fans protesting the Doncic trade outside American Airlines Center before tip-off.
General manager Nico Harrison was the subject of dissenting chants throughout the game, while two men were ejected for shouting at the team's minority owner Mark Cuban.
Four-time NBA champion Thompson, who arrived from the Golden State Warriors in the preseason, said the team cannot let themselves be affected by the noise.
"It's not our job to get deflated because people are upset," Thompson said.
"Our job is to convince them that there are really great days ahead, not just for this year but for the next few years.
"I mean, people are going to say stuff, and that's understandable. I was a fan, still a fan. If I didn't agree with a trade, I'd probably voice my opinion too.
"That's the beauty of sports. You go there to yell and be rambunctious sometimes."
Kyrie Irving, who had a team-high 30 points but could not match DeMar DeRozan's 42 for the Kings, said fan anger was totally understandable given the circumstances.
"They've graduated from hate to anger in the cycle of emotions, then there's the passion," Irving said. "You've just got to give everybody grace.
"To see the emotions come out like that over basketball, that just shows you that basketball is not just a game to certain people. It's a spiritual experience.
"It's a connector piece, and they watch their favourite players and they want to see them forever. So, I run the side of just understanding where people are coming from."