The Dallas Mavericks made the unthinkable overnight by exchanging Luka Dončić.
It is perhaps the most astonishing trade in the NBA, and perhaps sports, in history-there were no rumors at all on this subject, and Dončić is only 25 years old and a sustainable MVP candidate.
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So why would MAVs go from him? Especially after an appearance in the NBA final.
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Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the Thunder during the western conference qualifiers at the Paycc Center on May 9, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (Joshua Gateley / Getty Images)
Well, the managing director Nico Harrison admitted shortly after trade that he was concerned about the defense of the team, a Bugaboo by Dončić. Trade against Anthony Davis surely helps in this area.
But Dončić is – Well, was – a cornerstone of franchise.
“I understand why [fans] would be shocked at the start, “Harrison told Dallas Morning News.
“But I believe that we positioned ourselves to win now and also win in the future. And that is ultimately the goal and why we are here. This is one of those things where it is my job to take the difficult decisions that first put our goals first and above all. “
Aside from the defense, Dončić would have been in a fairly contractual battle with the MAVS. Its extension of $ 207 million is expected to expire this year, and it was for a supermax which was worth more than $ 340 million. In addition, he was able to quickly withdraw from any other offer. So Harrison wanted security.
Luka Dončić of the Mavericks manages the ball against Anthony Davis of Los Angeles Lakers at the American Airlines Center on February 26, 2023, in Dallas. (Ron Jenkins / Getty Images)
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“We really feel like we’ve taken ahead of what was going to be a tumultuous summer, being eligible for supermax and also a year from his power with any contract,” said Harrison. “And so we really had the impression that we came out in front of this. We know teams, they got it, the teams were responsible to try to sign it once it is available.”
And with the speculations according to which the MAVs were thwarted by the packaging of Doncic, it seems that the stars are aligned for Dallas to pass from him.
The Lakers received Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, while the Mavericks faced Davis, Max Christie and the choice of first round of Los Angeles in 2029. To settle everything, Utah Jazz acquired Jalen Hood-Schifino and two Choice of second round.
Luka Dončić of the Mavericks smiled before the match against Orlando Magic at the American Airlines Center on January 29, 2024, in Dallas. (Tim Heitman / Getty Images)
The Slovenian led the NBA with 33.4 points per game last season and will not have 26 years later this month. During his career, he has an average of 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists, putting himself in the MVP conversation each year of his young career.
Meanwhile, Davis ended in fourth place in the defensive player of the year of the NBA last year, and has an average of more than 25 points and 12 rebounds this season.
