The Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade sent shockwaves across the NBA, with many assuming that Doncic had requested a trade from the Dallas Mavericks. But, league sources confirmed to Marc Stein that Doncic did not ask out—this was entirely a decision made by the Mavericks’ front office.
Despite Doncic being widely regarded as a future MVP and one of the best offensive players in the league, Dallas chose to move on from him, signaling that they no longer believed he was the franchise player to lead them to a championship.
The Mavericks did not come to this decision lightly, but their growing concerns about Doncic’s durability, conditioning, and defensive liabilities played a significant role. Since entering the league, Doncic has never played more than 70 games in a season, frequently missing time due to injuries and reported conditioning issues.
While his offensive talent is undeniable, the Mavericks’ front office began to question whether his high-usage playstyle could consistently translate to deep playoff success year after year.
One of the biggest turning points came during last season’s NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. While Doncic was brilliant throughout the playoffs, carrying the Mavericks to the championship series with clutch performances, he was also exposed defensively by the Celtics.
Boston targeted him relentlessly, forcing him to defend high pick-and-roll actions, which ultimately wore him down and cost Dallas in crucial moments.
Last season he finished 3rd in the MVP voting, where he averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game shooting 48.7% from the field and 38.7% from 3-point range. His production alone proves that he remains a top-tier superstar, making the Mavericks’ decision to trade him even more shocking.
The most baffling part of the trade is that Dallas did not maximize Doncic’s trade value. Instead of fielding offers from multiple teams and starting a bidding war, the Mavericks targeted only the Lakers, accepting a package centered around Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
Many around the league believe that Dallas could have received a significantly better return had they made Doncic available to the highest bidder.
Realistically, only a handful of players in the NBA would be untouchable in a Luka Doncic trade—Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum, and Victor Wembanyama. Even Anthony Edwards, considered one of the best young stars in the league, might have been available in a potential deal.
By not exploring these possibilities, the Mavericks settled for a deal that may not give them the long-term upside that Doncic could have fetched elsewhere. While Anthony Davis is a superstar, he is also 31 years old and has a history of injuries, making this a high-risk gamble for Dallas.
The Mavericks’ decision to move on from Luka Doncic will be scrutinized for years. Whether this trade ultimately helps them build a title contender or becomes one of the biggest mistakes in franchise history remains to be seen.
However, what’s clear is that Doncic never requested a trade—Dallas made the move because they lost confidence in his ability to lead them to a championship. Now, the Lakers have one of the brightest young stars in the league, and the Mavericks have taken a huge risk on Anthony Davis leading them to success. Only time will tell if Dallas made the right call.
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