There’s no denying that the NBA world was shocked when the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers executed the trade involving Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis. The move left fans, players, and everyone connected to the NBA in disbelief, especially after Nico Harrison went to the Lakers to finalize the deal.
Even though Doncic was traded, he will remain one of the greatest Mavericks in history. However, the decision to trade him, particularly after he had been with the team since 2018, has left many fans questioning the reasoning behind it. Doncic was meant to be the franchise player following Dirk Nowitzki’s decline, and he made an immediate impact, winning Rookie of the Year in 2019. Despite this, the Mavericks decided to move him, a decision that, although based on a perceived need, still doesn’t quite make sense.
The return Dallas got for Doncic in the trade was underwhelming. After the 2025-26 season, Doncic had a player option to opt out of his contract, and he was set for a supermax extension that would make him a Maverick for life. However, the team feared committing to such a massive deal, which raises concerns about their long-term strategy. With Doncic no longer on the roster, Dallas can focus on other contracts, such as Kyrie Irving’s potential opt-out.
Another factor in the decision was Doncic’s conditioning, which had become a concern. Reports suggested that he had been nearing 270 pounds at one point, and for a player who handles the ball as much as he does, that raised injury risks. While these concerns are valid, it doesn’t justify trading away a generational talent like Doncic.
The Mavericks’ trade return is bewildering: a single first-round pick, Davis, and Christie. Giving up a player of Doncic’s caliber for an aging star like Davis, without fully exploring other potential deals, seems like a poor decision by Harrison and the Mavericks. Fans may be excited about Davis joining the team, but they should proceed with caution given his injury history. Despite his defensive prowess, Davis’ lengthy injury history makes him a risky addition.
Davis has been dominant this season, averaging 25.7 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, while also being one of the best defenders in the NBA. His ability to guard the paint and block shots will help the Mavericks, but whether it’s worth giving up Doncic remains questionable.
One silver lining for the Mavericks could be the 2029 first-round draft pick from the Lakers. By then, there’s no guarantee LeBron James will still be playing, or that Doncic will be at his peak. If the Lakers struggle, the 2029 pick could become valuable in the future, but for now, many Mavericks fans are left wondering if this trade will go down as one of the worst in the team’s history.
