After having the night to reflect on the most shocking NBA trade in my lifetime, it is time to accept that Luka Doncic is a Los Angeles Laker. Approximately 17 years ago, the Lakers made a deal for a Spanish big man named Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown, Javarris Critternan, draft rights to Marc Gasol, and the 2008 and 2010 first-round draft picks.
In return, the Mavericks were able to acquire top 75 NBA player and perennial all-star Anthony Davis along with Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. The third team included was the Utah Jazz who received Jalen Hood-Schifano along with a couple of other future picks. This is a trade that will be remembered as one of most shocking trades in NBA history.
Why did this happen?
Los Angeles Lakers
From the Laker’s standpoint, it was all about the future plain and simple. LeBron James, who is currently 40 years old, may only be in the league for a couple of more seasons. Outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who do the Lakers have that could be their next franchise player to build around?
When Anthony Davis was traded to the Lakers nearly six years ago, he was more of a co-superstar to work alongside LeBron James and was the possible player to pass the torch from him. At the time, Anthony Davis was a top 5 player and was 26 years old on a mediocre Pelicans team going nowhere. While Anthony Davis has been a defensive superstar and helped the Lakers win the 2020 NBA championship, he has had his share of disappointments during his Lakers tenure.
The first frustration with AD is clear was his health. Sure, in the past 2 seasons, Anthony Davis has been healthier. However, in half of the seasons played, AD has failed to play more than 70% of his games which has resulted in the Lakers mainly being a play-in team and even missing the postseason one year. The second issue was his inconsistency on offense and “lack of desire” to take the torch from LeBron James as the main guy. It seemed that Davis was content with being just a co-star or the 1B on the team versus the main guy. Anthony Davis led the team once in scoring. That was during the championship season.
Now, with LeBron’s retirement coming sooner than later, the Lakers believed that Anthony Davis is not the guy to build around after especially since he will be 32 in March and with a history of injuries. The Lakers will now have a young superstar who should be in his prime for the next 8-10 years.
Dallas Mavericks
From the Mavericks’ standpoint, this is much more puzzling to understand why they made this deal. I understand and sympathize with Mavericks fans, even though I am indeed a Lakers fan. How can a team trade their 25-year-old superstar who just them to the NBA finals for the first time in over a decade? Did Luka Doncic demand a trade?
Luka Doncic is not only box office with 8-10 years left in his prime but is a top 3 NBA player when healthy. GM Nico Harrison quoted that they “needed more defense” and “defense wins championships” which I believe isn’t entirely true and the front office has some explaining to do for a fanbase that is irate, angst, and more importantly confused.
I believe something went on behind the scenes. There have been talks that the Mavericks are doubtful and frustrated with Luka’s health and conditioning and we’re somewhat skeptical to give him the max. The timing of the trade might not make sense, however, if you’re not willing to give a player more than what they want, the best thing to do is trade them. Luka Donic’s contract expires next season. If Luka demands a trade in the summer or later, then his trade value decreases.
This is because many teams would be wary of giving up their entire farm for possibly just one season of a superstar. There have been many times when superstars were dealt in the last year of their deal and would walk out. Example. Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors or Dwight Howard and the Lakers. The Mavericks I believe were aware if Luka didn’t sign an extension, then they are taking the risk of losing him for nothing. Again example with LeBron James.
With getting a player like Anthony Davis, this is a top 10-12 player in the league who is averaging 25 points 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks a night. This is someone who can be the #1 option at times offensively and be the elite superstar defensively. With the Thunder beefing up their front court, Anthony Davis will provide them with a star presence in the post and can help Dallas become OKC’s biggest threat in the West.
The Mavericks tanked their future and the only way for this to not be a catastrophic failure is if they can get back to the finals and compete for a title. Anthony Davis may have only 2 or 3 years left of his prime.
Utah Jazz
Does anyone seriously care? Utah was the 3rd team to make the trade and they are focusing on their draft lottery odds more. The Jazz acquired Jalen Hood-Schifano, who might benefit from a fresh start after his disappointing time in LA, and two draft picks who may or not help them in the future.
Trade Grades
Los Angeles Lakers- A
From what the Lakers were trying to achieve, they knocked this out of the park. When healthy, Luka Doncic is a top 3 player who can score and facilitate better than anyone else other than LeBron James. Obviously, there are concerns about Luka Doncic’s health and conditioning. But this is the Lakers, who have built their legacy through trades and this one is no different.
Yes, the Lakers roster as constructed currently is worse and not complete. With giving up Anthony Davis, the Lakers now have a glaring hole in the interior. And with AD, the Lakers’ defense has been subpar at best all season. If LA can get another center that can protect the rim and spread the floor similar to Davis, then the Lakers will be okay. People are concerned with the fit of LeBron and Luka, but it’s more than that. This is about finding their next star after LeBron.
This is the first star the Lakers can see dominate in their prime since Kobe. LeBron came to LA later in his career and his tenure didn’t quite bring the same aura as did the previous Laker greats. Anthony Davis who was initially acquired to become the next Laker superstar to take the torch after LeBron proved to just be a 1B star or a co-star. Luka Doncic in LA has the ability to be something special and him being in a big market like Los Angeles as a global icon feels right.
Dallas Mavericks- D+
I am not defending the fact that the Mavericks gave up a generational talent at the age of 25. This grade is a representation that the Mavericks didn’t get completely fleeced. One can argue letting Jalen Brunson walk for nothing was as big of a disaster. At least Dallas still got something in return which was a perennial star who is a top 5 defensive player in the NBA.
However, the Maverick’s window for title contention has gotten a whole lot more narrow. Their top 3 players Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson will be 32 years old, 33 years old, and 35 years old after the season.
There is no way of knowing whether Luka wanted to be dealt or not or if Dallas was overthinking the worst possible outcome of losing their superstar next summer. Still, the Mavericks might have been able to get more players from the trade than they did. This deal has a strong potential of going down as one of the worst NBA trades of all time.
I can assure you one thing. If Mark Cuban was the owner, this trade would never happen. We all know how much he loves the Lakers.
Utah Jazz- B-
Like I said, not a big deal since the Jazz are rebuilding. But getting more draft picks and a raw prospect may or may not work out for them.
Main Image: © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
