A recent report provides further evidence that the Los Angeles Lakers’ acquisition of Luka Doncic might be the biggest trade steal in NBA history.
The Lakers resume their 2024-25 season on Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets, entering the second half with renewed optimism. Following a rocky end to 2024, the team has been on an impressive run over the past month.
While their improved performance has been a major storyline, nothing in LA basketball surpasses the impact of Luka Doncic joining the Lakers. The 25-year-old was traded from the Dallas Mavericks in a stunning deal that sent Anthony Davis and a future first-round pick to Dallas—one of the most shocking transactions in NBA history.
The Mavericks’ decision to move their franchise star took the basketball world by surprise, but the limited return they received for one of the league’s top three players sparked even more debate. Discussions have continued over who truly won the deal, and a new report strengthens the argument that the Lakers got the better end of the trade.
NBA Execs Frustrated Over How Little Lakers Gave Up for Luka Doncic
According to The Athletic, “Since the completion of the trade, other lead executives have privately vented they could have bested the Lakers’ offer. One that didn’t even include all of Los Angeles’ top chips. Their teams were left in the dark, unlike how it normally goes when a generational performer hits the market. But the way this trade went down was on brand for [Mavericks GM Nico] Harrison, who had deliberated it with staffers in his front office for weeks.”
Time will ultimately determine whether the Lakers or Mavericks came out on top in the deal. Harrison was determined to bring Anthony Davis to Dallas, especially as he had concerns about Doncic’s work ethic. While Davis initially looked like a strong addition, his injury history quickly resurfaced—he’s now sidelined for at least a month with an abductor injury.
For now, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka appears to have pulled off one of the most astonishing trades in NBA history, further cementing his reputation as a master strategist.
