Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison nearly executed a bold and strategic trade by moving Luka Doncic, a move that could have reshaped the team’s future.
No, this isn’t a sensationalized claim.
If you’re still reading, you’re probably curious to hear from someone on the internet offering a take on what’s being viewed as a disastrous deal in sports history.
Stick with me for a moment, and then feel free to send me your criticism if you disagree. I’m genuinely curious if I’m missing something here.
The reason behind the potential trade was the Mavericks’ frustration with Doncic’s poor diet, conditioning, and lack of defensive effort—valid concerns given his struggles on that side of the ball during the Finals.
That said, Luka Doncic remains one of the best players in the league. He’s a consistent triple-double threat, a five-time All-NBA player, and still has plenty of years left in his career.
Despite those issues, Harrison and the Mavericks’ concerns were valid. The question of whether those concerns justified trading him is a different matter. But Dallas decided they did, and they made a move.
Had Dallas gotten the right return for Doncic, the trade would have been more understandable.
Though it would have shocked the sports world and possibly caused Mavericks fans to feel the franchise’s death, at least the team would have been set up for long-term success.
Instead, the Mavericks settled for 31-year-old Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a lone first-round draft pick in 2029—an underwhelming return for a player with All-NBA credentials, averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists.
Surely, there were teams willing to offer more—maybe a young two-way player, a few solid role players, and a collection of first-round picks. If that were the case, trading Doncic wouldn’t sting as much.
Trading Doncic to a Western Conference rival also feels like a strange decision.
Last year, I wrote that Doncic wasn’t a winner—and I stand by that until he earns a championship ring. However, his path to a ring seems uncertain unless he changes aspects like his diet, conditioning, and defense—issues that the Mavericks rightly pointed out.
It’s easy to wonder about the “what could have been” with such a trade, and while many fans might have thought Doncic would lead Dallas to a title, it might not have worked out that way.Now, Mavericks fans can only hope for the best. Harrison had the potential to become a hero, but instead, he may be remembered as the villain.
