The NBA was rocked on Sunday by news of the shocking, once-in-a-generation deal that sent Luka Dončić to Los Angeles and Anthony Davis to Dallas. While there are some draft picks and other players involved, along with the Utah Jazz, theories about Dončić are taking center stage. And for good reason.
On the surface, it seems crazy that the Mavericks would want to get rid of their offensive superstar. Last year, Dončić’s 73-point game against the Atlanta Hawks was the fourth most points in league history. Dončić is a perennial MVP contender, and he has made the All-NBA first team for the last five seasons. And while the Mavs lost in the NBA Finals to Boston, Dončić played well, if unevenly. This felt like the beginning of a beautiful relationship for the 25-year-old Dončić and Dallas, not the end of the line.
This felt like the beginning of a beautiful relationship for the 25-year-old Dončić and Dallas, not the end of the line.
But while it may sound like riding the fence, I don’t think that both teams could very well wind up winning when we look at this deal five or six years from now. (Although, of course, future trades could certainly change the way we view this deal.)
Dallas fans upset by this presumed loss would be wise to read between the lines of the post-trade comments made by Mavs general manager Nico Harrison. It’s telling that Harrison made it clear he and head coach Jason Kidd were on the same page when it came to this once-unimaginable deal.
While his offensive talent is undeniable, Dončić doesn’t play a lick of defense. His large frame lumbers up and down the floor, and he has been criticized for a lack of effort. As ESPN noted, he is almost never operating in high gear. While not as hefty as Pelicans star Zion Williamson, Dončić just doesn’t seem to have taken his conditioning seriously over the past few years.
Dončić has bristled in the past at comments about his weight and stamina. But when combined with his long list of injuries, this is a topic his coaches may not have been able to ignore. Indeed, the Slovenian star hasn’t played since late December because of a calf strain.
Could a move to Los Angeles that connects him with a legend like LeBron James provide Dončić with new motivation? James’ attention to fitness is well-regarded. Perhaps he can provide a blueprint to Dončić to help better his off-the-court habits.
The Lakers’ decision to part ways with Anthony Davis is far less controversial but no less consequential. The opportunity to bring in a 25-year-old offensive dynamo in exchange for a 31-year-old Davis appears to have been too good to pass up. Now, the Lakers are left without a defensive presence at the rim. And there will be short-term pain for Lakers fans as a result. Still, the long term is bright for the Lakers with the ability to build around Dončić. The move also likely means that James will play another year or two in Los Angeles. And he has long praised Dončić’s play publicly.
LUKA. He's my fav player!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 17, 2022
On the other side of the trade, the short-term consequences for the Mavericks will be swift. Davis can provide solid offensive output and a defensive presence the team has lacked for years. Once he and Kyrie Irving get on the same page, Dallas could be a force in the Western Conference playoff picture. The long-term picture is a bit murkier given the age and mileage on Davis and Irving. It seems there is an urgency to win now with this group.
Lastly, there were the financial considerations. Miriam Adelson bought a majority stake in the Mavericks from billionaire owner Mark Cuban in 2024 for over $3 billion. Dončić was set to sign a “SuperMax” contract this offseason that would pay him $345 million for five years. That could have played a role, in part, for the Mavericks.
In a world where we long for instant results, this stunning trade may yet disappoint. Or not.
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