NBA fans aren’t the only ones perplexed by the Mavericks trading Luka Doncic.
Executives around the league are having trouble figuring out why Dallas would part with the 25-year-old perennial MVP candidate — particularly for a soon-to-be 32-year-old in Anthony Davis, who is dominant when healthy but carries injury concerns, while only getting one first-round pick in the three-team trade.
“The confusion around the league is quite high,” one executive told ESPN.
The Mavericks received Davis, Max Christie and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick in the deal that saw the Lakers get Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, while the Jazz picked up Jalen Hood-Schifino, a Mavericks 2025 second-rounder and Clippers 2025 second-rounder.
Dallas reportedly has concerns about Doncic’s conditioning and work ethic and was “terrified” about giving him a five-year, $345 million super-max contract this summer.
“You better be sure his body is going to fall apart,” an Eastern Conference executive told ESPN. “That’s all I’m going to say.”
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison acknowledged the risk involved in the trade on Sunday before the team was obliterated by the Cavaliers in Cleveland.
“I understand why [everyone] would be shocked, initially, but I do believe that we positioned ourselves to win now and also win in the future,” Harrison said. “And that’s ultimately the goal and why we’re here. It’s one of those things where it’s my job to make the tough decisions that put our goals first and foremost.
“So I understand the magnitude of it, but the easiest thing for me to do is do nothing and everyone would praise me for doing nothing. But we really believe in it and time will tell if I’m right.”
Dallas’ belief is that Davis makes them a better defensive team which will help them better contend for a championship in the short term.
But part of the surprise surrounding the deal stems from the fact the Mavericks didn’t seem to open the bidding for Doncic and instead went right to the Lakers.
“Nico must really love Anthony Davis,” a Western Conference executive told ESPN.
Mavericks fans don’t seem to feel the same way, as they protested outside the team’s arena on Sunday.
