The NBA world was rocked late Saturday evening when the Dallas Mavericks traded away their franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in alternate for Anthony Davis.
The transfer despatched shockwaves by way of the league, as Doncic was thought-about one of many NBA’s untouchable stars.
However Mavericks GM Nico Harrison had different plans in thoughts.
Throughout Sunday’s media session, Harrison addressed the blockbuster commerce that despatched the Slovenian celebrity to Los Angeles.
His feedback revealed some shocking particulars in regards to the state of affairs, as reported by Jason Gallagher.
Based on Harrison, Doncic by no means expressed any need to depart Dallas or indicated reluctance to signal an extension.
He additionally emphasised that amongst potential suitors, the Lakers had been the one staff Doncic had discussions with relating to his future.
“Nico simply mentioned Luka gave no indication he needed out or wouldn’t signal an extension transferring ahead. He additionally mentioned the Lakers had been they solely staff he talked to. He’s saying this straight right into a microphone.” Gallagher shared.
Nico simply mentioned Luka gave no indication he needed out or would not signal an extension transferring ahead. He additionally mentioned the Lakers had been they solely staff he talked to.
He is saying this straight right into a microphone.
— Jason Gallagher (@jga41agher) February 2, 2025
The commerce turns into much more puzzling contemplating Doncic’s trajectory.
At simply 25 years previous, he had already established himself as a generational expertise, main the Mavericks to the NBA Finals final season.
Buying and selling away a participant of his caliber appears virtually unthinkable, particularly with a possible supermax extension value $345 million looming this summer season.
That huge alternative now slips away from Doncic with this surprising transfer.
Harrison believes the addition of Anthony Davis will assist compensate for the lack of Doncic’s offensive brilliance.
The GM’s logic means that pairing Davis’s elite defensive prowess with Kyrie Irving might create a formidable duo.
If Dallas can preserve sufficient scoring punch between AD and Irving, they could simply show Harrison’s imaginative and prescient proper, significantly in playoff eventualities.
NEXT: Mavericks Followers Are Going Viral For Response To Luka Doncic Commerce