The Los Angeles Lakers trading for Luka Doncic remains the most stunning deal in NBA history as the generational superstar never asked to leave the Dallas Mavericks.
Doncic led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals and while they came up short, there was zero indication that the team was looking to deal him. However, general manager Nico Harrison and governor Patrick Dumont had concerns over Doncic’s conditioning and defense, so they shipped him to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick.
The return for someone like Doncic was underwhelming to say the least and had Dallas opened up the bidding they likely would have gotten a stronger offer. For example, the Chicago Bulls would have traded anyone and everyone for Doncic if given the opportunity.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors were working on their own blockbuster trade proposals and appeared to be getting traction on a Kevin Durant deal. Draymond Green revealed he thought the Warriors landed Durant when news of the Doncic trade broke while they were at a charity poker tournament, via Jimmy Kimmel Live:
“I couldn’t believe it. I thought Shams was hacked. When it first happened, we were at the Warriors charity poker tournament and I had just saw Joe Lacob 10 minutes before this happened. I saw Joe and Joe gets excited. That’s my guy, we’ve been together for 13 years, championships. Joe Lacob’s the owner of the Warriors, majority owner. And Joe goes, ‘Draymond, I think we’re gonna get Kevin Durant. Like it’s right there at the finish line. It’s happening, we’re getting Kevin Durant back. I’m like ‘Oh man, here we go. Let’s go.’ And we talk about it, he’s like ‘You think it will work?’ I’m like ‘Absolutely.’ He leaves and comes running back to me two minutes later like ‘Draymond, Draymond, I wasn’t supposed to say anything. Don’t say nothing to nobody.’ I’m like ‘Joe, I got you I won’t say anything to anyone.’
“So we’re at this charity tournament and I go sit down and about 15 minutes later, Steph yells ‘Draymond, you see the trade?!’ I go, ‘It happened?!’ Steph goes, ‘Wait, who?’ I said ’Never mind, what happened?’ He’s like ‘Luka got traded.’ And we’re at this video opp because we’re at the tournament of us reacting and I couldn’t believe it. Superstars at 25 don’t get traded. Luka is a megastar just coming off the NBA Finals. You just don’t see that in the NBA. So man, I immediately wondered that I have to be next. It’s coming for me soon (laughs).”
The Phoenix Suns’ disappointing season led the franchise to consider trading Durant and it appears that talks with the Warriors were close. Durant chose to stay put, though, and Golden State pivoted to trading for Jimmy Butler.
Had Durant gone to the Warriors, they very well could have gone on an NBA Finals run but fortunately for the Lakers and the rest of the Western Conference that didn’t happen. Golden State remains a threat next season, but Los Angeles should feel confident in their own chances with Doncic.
Luka Doncic explains origin for love of basketball
Lakers star Luka Doncic is perfect for Los Angeles as he’s got a killer’s mentality on the court but also finds time to laugh and smile. His love for basketball clearly runs deep and he explained how it came to be.
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