While emotions are obviously a very subjective matter, statistics, win-shares, and ultimately titles will speak louder than words, hence the desire to, from this day onwards, follow each player and the impact on their team. (Full disclaimer: I have been a Mavericks fan since 1999, so this trade has killed a part of my sports-soul. I will continue to root for the Mavs, but with a massive hole in my heart. I will also root for Luka Dončić to win it all with the Lakers, and to show the world what a once-in-a-lifetime player he is).

On February 1, 2025, the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in return for Anthony Davis. The trade sent shockwaves through the entire NBA and across the globe, beyond the boundaries of basketball. The exact details of the trade were as follows: The Lakers received Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, plus the Mavericks’ 2025 second-round pick. The Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick. Among fans, media experts and peers this trade has been viewed as “horrible” for the Mavericks and “franchise reviving” for the Lakers. ESPN rated this trade an A+ for the Lakers and an F for the Mavericks.

Nico Harrison, GM of the Dallas Mavericks, justified his decision based on two main reasons: Firstly, the concern over Luka Dončić’s conditioning. Secondly, over the assumed theory that with Luka Dončić the franchise would not be as well suited now and for the future to win an NBA Finals. This highly disputed statement becomes even more controversial when considering that Luka Dončić had lead the Mavericks to a Conference Finals and an NBA Finals appearance during his time with Dallas, while being an All-NBA Player his entire career, (except for his rookie season, where he was named “Rookie of the Year”), the scoring champion in the 2023/24 season and the heart, soul and face of the franchise, now entering his prime (he was 25 when traded) and having a 34/9/10 season prior.

To trade a player who is younger and in his prime (Luka Dončić, 25) for a player who is older and past his prime (Anthony Davis, 31), while arguing that the Mavericks are, with this trade, better suited now and in the future, is mind-blowing. Being worried over conditioning and then replacing that player (Luka Dončić) with one who was more injured and less available over his career (Anthony Davis) is another statement that defies any sense and logic. Nico Harrison then infamously and jokingly addressed the media after the trade and further commented that he envisions a team that has a certain culture (implying that Luka Dončić did not fit that vision). This showed a complete lack of understanding of what the word culture means, leaving the fans, the city of Dallas and everyone around the world speechless in disbelief and shock.