The Dallas Mavericks stunned the basketball world when they traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal for Anthony Davis. But, new reports indicate that the Lakers weren’t the only team the Mavericks reached out to in an attempt to move their franchise star.
According to Gery Woelfel, the Mavericks explored trades with both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Minnesota Timberwolves before ultimately settling on the Lakers.
The Mavericks reportedly inquired about Giannis Antetokounmpo in a potential swap with Milwaukee. Given Giannis’ status as one of the best two-way players in the league and a perennial MVP candidate, this was an ambitious move by Dallas.
Despite Antetokounmpo’s occasional frustrations with the Bucks’ postseason shortcomings since winning the championship in 2021, Milwaukee refused to engage in trade talks. Giannis remains the face of the franchise, and with Damian Lillard now alongside him, the Bucks remain committed to contending for another championship.
Dallas also turned to the Timberwolves, where the logical trade centerpiece would have been Anthony Edwards. At just 23 years old, Edwards has already emerged as one of the best young superstars in the NBA, a dynamic two-way player with the potential to be the best player in the league for years to come.
Given his trajectory and the Timberwolves’ success this season, Minnesota had no interest in dealing him, leaving Dallas without a viable trade partner.
With those options off the table, the Mavericks ultimately settled on trading Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. While Davis remains an elite talent when healthy, his injury history is a major concern.
The 31-year-old big man has missed significant time in multiple seasons and is currently sidelined with an adductor strain, further complicating the Mavericks’ outlook. Many around the league questioned why Dallas would trade a 25-year-old generational talent for a player whose availability has been so inconsistent.
What’s even more surprising is that Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison claimed he only pursued the Lakers trade and didn’t explore Doncic’s market value further. This revelation raised eyebrows, as executives typically aim to maximize returns when trading a superstar of Doncic’s caliber.
But, sources have since disputed Harrison’s comments, confirming that Dallas did in fact discuss potential trades with other teams, even if those negotiations didn’t progress very far.
While the Mavericks’ trade decision remains a topic of debate, one thing is clear—both Milwaukee and Minnesota valued their stars too highly to entertain swapping them for Doncic. For the Bucks, keeping Giannis solidifies their title hopes, while for the Timberwolves, Edwards represents their future.
The Lakers, meanwhile, capitalized on the opportunity to pair Doncic with LeBron James, forming one of the most dynamic duos in the NBA.
As the dust settles on one of the most shocking trades in recent history, the Mavericks will have to hope that Anthony Davis can stay healthy and help them remain competitive. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic is now set to carry on the legacy of Lakers greats, with Los Angeles banking on his ability to lead them to future championships.
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