“It’s one of those moments you won’t forget. Like when Michael Jackson died (or) 9-11 happened. Those moments you just know is going to be forever ingrained.” Yep, the Luka Doncic trade is compared to massive moments in American history. No, this is not just a season drama. And if you read Shams Charania’s breaker on February 2nd, you’d have the same reaction. “I thought it was a joke,” a player filled. Well, all thought. No warning. No rumors. Just one move that potentially has changed the course of the NBA forever. The community cried, If someone like Doncic isn’t safe, then who is? We have answered this many times; the world has covered it. Even in 203o, 2040, all that Mavs will do is: Curse.
In the Athletic’s annual NBA player poll, this historic topic was brought into question. Never did anyone think this would happen. The players were as shocked as the rest of us. For the most part, a huge chunk had to rub their eyes for a good few hours before coming to terms with it. “I don’t even know if 2K would’ve allowed that trade,” said a player. And this was tested out, too. There was a tweet that went viral a while ago, trying out the trade on the NBA 2K game. Even in a fictional world, the trade wasn’t permitted to go through. But it happened in real life. Fascinating amidst the cries of “shocked”, “crazy,” and “What the f—?”
But a big amount of the confessions were what you’d expect- ridiculing Mavs GM Nico Harrison’s decision. “Stupid … If Luka can get traded, everyone can get traded. So it’s kind of messed up the way that the NBA runs their league,” said one player, while another thought, “It’s one of the worst basketball decisions I’ve ever seen.” When Harrison came out with his own confession in the public press, it didn’t turn the tide in his favor even one bit. In fact, he doubled down on it being the right call.
Apr 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after not getting a foul call in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
If the trade was a technical decision, it wouldn’t have made the headlines the way it did. But Nico’s arbitrary feelings for the cause just pushed the narrative that much deeper. “Insane. I don’t like how they pushed a narrative after. If you just wanted to trade him, then stand on it.” Rather than having the utmost respect for the best player to come out of Dallas in a decade, his revelations on the real motives of the trade just sent Nico into the bad books rather than Doncic.
Some players felt that it was a bit too much. Trading a man who almost single-handedly took you to the NBA finals a year ago? “Terrible decision. If (Doncic) came in weighing 500 pounds, so what? He’s still averaging damn near a 30-point triple-double.” Just to prove Harrison wrong, that’s literally what Luka’s been cooking at the Lakers. Doncic averages 28.2/8.1/7.2 while shooting 46.3% from the field in just 28 games for the LA purple and gold.
The events that transpired left little to predict. The Lakers suddenly rose to the #3 seed, while the Mavs stumbled to a disappointing 10th place in the West, only to get out of the thin playoff hopes early. But these kinds of decisions take time to become fruitful. For a few stars, Nico’s decision might pay dividends in the long term with Anthony Davis at the helm.
Luka Doncic trade could be seen positively, too, say some NBA players
There are always two sides to a story. On the face of it, trading away a prime Luka Doncic is a one-way ticket to disaster. But it’s not like they traded him for the change and fluff you find under the couch cushions. In fact, they got a more accomplished, experienced player in Anthony Davis. Unlike Luka, he comes in with a pedigree that some think is enough to make him “a top-75 player and perennial All-Star and an All-NBA guy.”
Basically, the other side of the verdict thinks it’s a win-win. The Lakers got a remedy for LeBron James’ imminent retirement, and Dallas got a defensive powerhouse in AD. “If you look in the past, they’ve had success. So they know better than what we know, and I think if AD gets back to a healthy level, then everything would be good for both sides,” said one player.
But the fortunes in the backend of the season are more than apparent. In the Lakers’ first round playoff series with the Timberwolves, the Don has scored a ridiculous 61 points in two games, more than anyone else on both teams combined. Meanwhile, the Mavericks crashed out in the second round of the play-ins after a 120-106 loss to the Grizzlies.
Feb 10, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison walks off the court before the game between the Dallas and the Sacramento Kings at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
At the end of the day, one’s loss is someone else’s gain. Trading away, Luka Doncic removed arguably the Mavs’ best attacking force for the next decade. Meanwhile, the Lakers are scoring points for fun. But on the flipside, their defense has been their biggest Achilles heel after trading away Davis. That’s something the Mavs have acquired that could benefit long-term. What are your thoughts on this box-office moment?
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