The Dallas Mavericks made one of the most shocking trades in NBA history, sending Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. The move sent shockwaves through the league, but was it really the best deal the Mavericks could have gotten?
With a generational superstar like Luka Doncic on the block, Dallas should have been in no rush to finalize a trade, yet GM Nico Harrison pulled the trigger fast by contacting Rob Pelinka, securing a deal that, while solid, might not have been the absolute best the Mavericks could have received.
Doncic is a 25-year-old MVP candidate, a player who single-handedly elevates a franchise, and arguably the most talented offensive force in basketball today. The return? A dominant big man in Anthony Davis, but one who has struggled with injuries and never fully embraced being the No. 1 option.
It’s a fair deal in isolation, but given the market for superstars, Dallas could have gotten more—whether it was a younger star, a more balanced roster upgrade, or an even bigger collection of draft picks.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at four trade packages that might have been better than the one Dallas accepted—deals that could have given them a stronger foundation for the future or a more immediate chance at a championship. Did the Mavericks settle too quickly? Let’s break it down.
Atlanta Hawks
Potential Trade Details
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Trae Young, Mouhamed Gueye, 2025 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2027 First-Round Pick (NOP or MIL), 2030 First-Round Pick, 2026 Second-Round Pick (MEM)
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Luka Doncic
If the Mavericks were dead set on trading Luka Doncic but still wanted an offensive engine to keep them competitive, swapping him for Trae Young would have been an intriguing alternative. Young, despite his lack of defensive impact, is still one of the best playmakers and offensive players in the NBA, leading the league in assists (11.5 APG) while posting 22.8 PPG.
He might not have Doncic’s all-around impact, but he would have kept the Mavericks’ offense elite, ensuring that Dallas wouldn’t take a massive step back. Additionally, Mouhamed Gueye is an interesting young piece, three first-round and one second-round picks would have been very valuable for the Mavericks’ future plans.
The concern here is that Young, while a prolific scorer, is even worse defensively than Luka, and the Mavs’ biggest issue has been building a championship-caliber defense. Compared to the Anthony Davis trade, this deal offers a high-level offensive player but without the defensive upside, making it a tough call.
Would this have been a better deal? That depends on what Dallas wanted. If the goal was to remain competitive while staying an offensive powerhouse, this deal would work. However, it doesn’t provide the same elite defensive anchor that AD brings. Still, defense wins championships but offense is what’s important in the NBA today, so this deal could have worked better.
Chicago Bulls
Potential Trade Details
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Zach LaVine, Coby White, Matas Buzelis, 2025 First-Round Pick (POR), 2027 First-Round Pick (CHI)
Chicago Bulls Receive: Luka Doncic
Now, this is where the Mavericks would have had a decision to make—do they go for a win-now approach like they did with AD, or do they take a balanced return that offers both immediate impact and future upside? A deal with the Bulls would have given Dallas a dynamic scorer in Zach LaVine (24.0 PPG on 44.6% 3-PT FG), a highly skilled guard in Coby White (18.3 PPG, 4.6 APG), and an intriguing prospect in Matas Buzelis (No. 11 overall pick).
The two first-round picks (2025 from Portland, 2027 from Chicago) would have been major assets in either a rebuild or a potential future trade. This deal offers more long-term flexibility than the Lakers trade, as LaVine is still in his prime, and White has taken a huge step forward as a playmaker.
Buzelis is also one of the most promising young forwards coming into the league, and the picks give Dallas options for the future. However, there’s one big problem: defense. If Dallas traded Luka, they would have wanted a more balanced roster, and adding LaVine—who has never been known for his defense—doesn’t fix that issue.
Would this trade have been better than the Lakers deal? If the Mavericks wanted immediate offensive firepower and long-term flexibility, this trade would have been a great move. Even if Anthony Davis is a superior player to LaVine, White, and Buzelis, their long-term situation would have been far better.
Houston Rockets
Potential Trade Details
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Reed Sheppard, 2025 First-Round Pick (OKC/PHX), 2027 First-Round Pick (PHX), 2028 First-Round Pick (HOU)
Houston Rockets Receive: Luka Doncic
If the Mavericks were thinking long-term, this Rockets deal would have been a real contender. Jalen Green is a high-upside, electric scorer (21.5 PPG), Dillon Brooks is a strong two-way wing (13.8 PPG, 0.8 SPG), and adding Reed Sheppard—one of the best young shooters in the draft—would have been a huge step toward a younger, more balanced team. The 2025 and 2027 first-round picks from OKC/Phoenix also add extra assets for Dallas to build with.
Compared to the Lakers deal, this is a completely different approach. Instead of getting a win-now star like AD, the Mavericks would have gone for a young, talented core that could develop into something special.
Green has All-Star potential, Brooks brings defensive toughness, and Sheppard is one of the best shooters in the draft. However, this trade lacks a true centerpiece—none of these players are guaranteed to be as impactful as Davis, which makes this a slightly bigger gamble. However, the three first-round picks would put this deal over the top versus the one they settled for.
Ultimately, this deal prioritizes the future, whereas the Lakers trade was about winning right now. If Dallas had been willing to take a step back to take two steps forward, this would have been an intriguing option, especially if Jalen Green ever became a true franchise player.
Miami Heat
Potential Trade Details
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Tyler Herro, Jaime Jacquez Jr, Nikola Jovic, 2028 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2030 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2026 Second-Round Pick
Miami Heat Receive: Luka Doncic
If the Mavericks were looking for young talent and flexibility, the Miami Heat package would have been an interesting pivot. Tyler Herro is a solid shooter and playmaker who made his first All-Star selection (23.8 PPG, 5.4 APG), Jaime Jaquez Jr. has the potential to be one of the best young two-way wings in the league (9.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG), and Nikola Jovic is a raw but promising prospect (10.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG). Throw in a 2030 first-round pick, and Dallas would have had plenty of future flexibility to reshape the team.
Here’s the issue: None of these players are even close to Luka’s level. Herro is a nice scorer but not a franchise cornerstone, Jaquez is still developing, and Jovic has yet to prove he can be a key contributor on a winning team. The Heat were clearly offering a “potential over star power” approach, and that could have fit better than a 31-year-old Davis coming on board.
Compared to the Lakers deal, this trade is better over the long term and might be a strong fit. This package is more about long-term depth and draft flexibility, considering Herro just made his first All-Star Team. Add in two first-round picks and a second-rounder, and the Mavs could have accepted this deal.
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