The Dallas Mavericks have moved on from franchise superstar Luka Doncic at just 25 years old for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick. This is already being called one of the biggest trades in NBA history, as we’ve seen one of the most accomplished players in the league get traded coming off a Finals appearance. There is quite literally nothing to compare to it in terms of NBA history.
Full Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Utah Jazz Receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2025 Second-Round Pick (DAL)
This was the first time in NBA history that two players named to the latest All-NBA team were traded for each other in the following season.
But even with that being true, nobody can justify the pretty shocking return the Mavericks got for arguably a top-three player in the NBA in his prime. One role-playing swingman and a first-round pick? That’s it?
Let’s take a look at how bad this return is compared to superstars who were recently traded.
Mikal Bridges
Traded To New York Knicks for Bojan Bogdanovic, Mamadi Diakite, Shake Milton, 2025 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2025 First-Round Pick (MIL), 2027 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2029 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2031 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2028 First-Round Pick Swap (LAL), 2025 Secon-Round Pick (NYK)
The most recent mega trade in the NBA came when the New York Knicks finally sent their years’ worth of stockpiled assets to their bitter rivals, the Brooklyn Nets, for Mikal Bridges. They sent five first-round picks, one pick swap, and a second-round pick for a player who had never been an All-Star in his career.
While the player return was also non-existent for the Nets, they managed to get six years’ worth of draft assets from their rival franchise. Bridges isn’t even the defined No. 3 player on the team, with his skill set keeping him comparable to high-performing teammates like Josh Hart and OG Anunoby.
Bridges is a tremendous defensive talent with a rapidly expanded offensive skill set, but he would not even be the No. 2 option on a contender, let alone a generation-defining franchise cornerstone like Doncic. Yet, he holds claim to arguably one of the most expensive trade packages of all time.
Rudy Gobert
Traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, 2023 First-Round Pick (MIN), 2025 First-Round Pick (MIN), 2027 First-Round Pick (MIN), 2029 First-Round Pick (MIN), 2026 First-Round Pick Swap (MIN)
The Minnesota Timberwolves saw Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns lead the Timberwolves to the Playoffs in 2022 with a weak defensive cast around and decided to address it in the most aggressive way possible. They traded five first-round picks, a pick swap, Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, and Jarred Vanderbilt for three-time DPOY Rudy Gobert on the Utah Jazz to create a twin-tower duo with Towns.
Gobert is a game-changing defensive player but was in the first year of a supermax contract while entering his 30s. The Jazz knew his performances were going to slide and moved off him for a max return when Gobert’s defensive reputation was arguably at its highest.
Gobert won another DPOY and transformed the Wolves’ defense, but he isn’t their franchise-defining piece either. He’s the perfect defensive big man for them, but now with Towns gone, the team is regretting the price they paid for Gobert now that they have to reinforce their roster without draft assets.
Paul George
Traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, 2021 First-Round Pick (Tre Mann at No. 18), 2022 First-Round Pick (Jalen Williams at No. 12), 2023 First-Round Pick Swap (LAC, not conveyed), 2024 First-Round Pick (LAC), 2025 Top-14 Protected First-Round Pick (MIA), 2025 First-Round Pick Swap (LAC), 2026 First-Round Pick (LAC)
Going back to 2019, this might arguably be the worst trade in NBA history. The Los Angeles Clippers, in a bid to convince Kawhi Leonard to sign with them, forked over standout rookie guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander alongside five first-round picks, two pick swaps, and Danilo Gallinari for Paul George from the OKC Thunder.
This is the most comparable situation to Luka, as George was coming off a top-three MVP finish. However, George already had his max contract in place and hadn’t even come close to the Playoff success Luka has had in the last few years. The Clippers might not have known how good Shai would become, but they did end up giving OKC a future MVP alongside six years’ worth of draft assets.
This is the kind of package a star like Doncic should fetch. While you can argue that the presence of Anthony Davis justifies the low pick cost because none of the traded players here are at his level, it still is shocking that the Mavericks couldn’t get more than one pick. Doncic is ascendant whereas Davis has most likely had his best years in the NBA already.
The Clippers won’t admit they regret making this trade for George because it got them Kawhi, but it is arguably the worst trade in NBA history. If Luka Doncic wins MVPs and titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Mavericks’ decision to trade him will supplant this iconic Clippers’ mistake for the worst deal ever.
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