The Dallas Mavericks did the unthinkable during the night by exchanging Luka Dončić.
Perhaps it is the most impressive exchange of the NBA, and perhaps sport, history: there were no rumors about this, and Dončić is still 25 years old and a mvp perennial candidate.
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So why would the mavs go from him? Especially after an appearance in the NBA finals.
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Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the Thunder during the playoffs of the West Conference at the Paycom Center on May 9, 2024 in Oklahoma City. (Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
Well, the general manager Nico Harrison admitted shortly after making the exchange that he was worried about the defense of the team, a Bugaboo of Dončić. Anthony Davis’s trade surely helps in that area.
But Dončić is, well, it was a cornerstone of the franchise.
“I understand why [fans] He would be surprised, initially, “Harrison told The Dallas Morning News.
“But I think we position ourselves to win now and also win in the future. And that is the goal and why we are here. It is one of those things in which it is my work to make the difficult decisions that our objectives put first and what more important. “
However, apart from the defense, Dončić would have had a rather contractual battle with the MAVs. Its extension of $ 207 million will expire this year, and should have a SuperMax that was worth more than $ 340 million. In addition, he could soon choose not to participate in any other offer. So, Harrison wanted security.
Luka Dončić of the Mavericks handles the ball against Anthony Davis of Los Angeles Lakers at the American Airlines Center on February 26, 2023 in Dallas. (Ron Jenkins/Getty images)
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“We really feel that we anticipated what was going to be a tumultuous summer, being eligible for the Supermax and also a year away from that he could choose not to have any contract,” Harrison said. “And then we feel that we go in front of that. We know that the teams, have had it, the equipment has been loading to try to sign it once it is available.”
And with the speculation that the MAVs were upset with the conditioning of Doncic, it seems that the stars aligned so that Dallas would move from him.
The Lakers received Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, while the Mavericks faced Davis, Max Christie and the first round of 2029 from Los Angeles. To solve everything, the Utah Jazz acquired Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second round selections.
Luka Dončić of the Mavericks smiles before the match against Orlando Magic at the American Airlines Center on January 29, 2024 in Dallas. (Tim Heitman/Getty images)
The Slovenian led the NBA with 33.4 points per game last season and will not meet 26 until the end of this month. In his career, he averages 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists, putting himself in the MVP conversation every year of his young career.
Meanwhile, Davis ended fourth in the vote of the defensive player of the NBA year last year, and averages more than 25 points and 12 rebounds this season.
