Late Saturday night, the Dallas Mavericks shocked everyone by trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. This trade surprised many, raising questions and surprising NBA players, while also boosting the Lakers’ chances of reaching the NBA Finals.
Mavericks fans were particularly stunned by the departure of their star player. However, in an interview with the Dallas Morning News, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison defended the trade, explaining that moving Dončić to the Lakers was done to set the team up for success in both the short and long term.
“I understand why they would be shocked, initially,” Harrison said. “But I do believe that we positioned ourselves to win now and also win in the future. And that’s the goal and why we’re here. It’s my job to make the tough decisions that put our goals first and foremost.”
Harrison mentioned that he had been in talks with Lakers GM Rob Pelinka for over a month, with the trade deal starting to take shape over the past three weeks. He confirmed that he was the one who brought up the idea of trading Dončić, and the Lakers were quick to respond.
Harrison also pointed to Dončić’s upcoming contract extension as part of the reason for the trade. Dončić was eligible for a five-year, $345 million supermax deal with Dallas this summer, but with the trade, he’s no longer in line for that deal.
“We really feel like we got ahead of what was going to be a tumultuous summer, him being eligible for the supermax and also a year away from him being able to opt out of any contract,” Harrison explained. “And so we really felt like we got out in front of that. We know teams have been loading up to try to sign him once that comes available.”
Harrison added that he did reach out to Dončić personally, sending a text and leaving a voicemail. “My guess is he probably doesn’t want to talk to me,” Harrison joked.
When it comes to Anthony Davis, Harrison praised the 31-year-old’s defensive abilities and said that both he and Mavericks coach Jason Kidd are excited about what Davis will bring to the team’s culture.
“We really feel that defense wins championships, and we think the players that we’re bringing in add to the culture, which is important to what J-Kidd and I have been building here from day one,” Harrison said. “And then obviously, when you get an All-NBA player who’s also a first-team All-Defensive player, we think that’s gonna help us where we need it the most, on the defensive end.”
Harrison compared Davis’ potential fit in Dallas to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ frontcourt duo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, who have been effective together for several seasons. He also mentioned that Davis will likely finish games as a center but will play power forward alongside Mavericks center Daniel Gafford, his preferred position.
Both Dončić and Davis are currently injured—Dončić with a calf injury and Davis with a foot injury. Once healthy, fans will be able to see how the trade works out and who truly benefited from it.
