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The Dallas Mavericks made headlines for all the wrong reasons on Feb. 2, 2025.
Hours before the franchise’s upcoming regular-season clash vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Mavericks left fans speechless by trading six-time All-Star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis in a jaw-dropping midseason deal (the full transaction sent Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to Los Angeles for Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick).
While one could attempt to argue that the massive trade wasn’t the gut punch many believe it was, given it helped them land generational forward Cooper Flagg, Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes is a firm believer that the deal was the worst the NBA has seen in the last five years.
“The first rule of having Luka Doncic on your team is that you should not trade Luka Doncic unless Luka Doncic specifically asks you to trade him,” Hughes wrote Sunday. “The second rule is that if you have Luka Doncic on your team and Luka Doncic specifically asks you to trade him, you shop around so you get the best possible deal.”
“Whether Dallas tried to frame it as a long- or short-term move, the logic was flawed. Doncic was the better and more durable player at the time, and he was six years younger than AD.”
It’s safe to assume witnessing the Mavericks enter rebuilding mode midway through the 2024-25 campaign wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card. The 2011 NBA champions were coming off an improbable, yet awe-inspiring Finals run with Doncic and Kyrie Irving leading the way.
While a championship wasn’t in the cards for Dallas that season (the Boston Celtics secured a 4-1 series victory in the final round of the postseason), it was evident that the franchise had a chance to be in championship contention for years to come, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Former Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison wasn’t sold, though, citing that swapping Doncic for Davis would help give them a stronger defensive identity going forward. While it would be nonsensical to push back on Harrison’s point, it’s ludicrous that the 53-year-old ignored Davis’ extensive injury history while considering the move.
The 10-time All-Star, who continues to suffer significant upper and lower body injuries, lasted less than two seasons with the Mavericks before getting shipped again, while Doncic is thriving as the Lakers’ No. 1 scoring option.
While there’s still more work to be done for Doncic in Los Angeles, it wouldn’t be asinine to suggest that the 33.5 points per game scorer will get the last laugh when it’s all said and done.
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