Dallas Mavericks did the unthinkable overnight by shopping Luka Dončić.
It is perhaps the most amazing trade in the NBA, and maybe sports, history – there had no rumors at all about this, and Dončić is still only 25 years old and a multi -year MVP candidate.
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So why should Mavs move on from him? Especially after an NBA Finals performance.
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Luka Dončić from Dallas Mavericks responds to Thunder during the Western Conference Playoffs in the Paycom Center on May 9, 2024 in Oklahoma City. (Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
General Manager Nico Harrison admitted shortly after acting he was concerned about the team’s defense, a Bugaboo of Dončićs. Trade for Anthony Davis is definitely helping in this area.
But Dončić is – yes, was – a franchise cornerstone.
“I understand why [fans] Would be shocked, originally, ”Harrison told Dallas Morning News.
“But I think we placed ourselves to win now and also win in the future. And that is ultimately the goal and why we are here. It’s one of the things where it’s my job to take the hard decisions that set our goals first and foremost.
Apart from the defense, however, Dončić would have been in quite a contract match with Mavs. His expansion of $ 207 million will have to expire this year, and he was going for a supermax worth over $ 340 million. Plus, he was soon able to opt out of other offers. So Harrison wanted security.
Luka Dončić from Mavericks handles the ball against Anthony Davis from 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 like we got ahead of what was going to be a stormy summer, being eligible for Supermax and also a year away from he could opt out of any contract,” Harrison said. “And then we really felt that we were coming out in front of it. We know team, they’ve had it out there, teams have loaded to try to sign him when it comes available.”
And with the speculation that Mavs was upset over Doncic’s conditioning, it seems that the stars are adapted to Dallas to move on from him.
Lakers received Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, while Mavericks took over Davis, Max Christie and Los Angeles’ 2029 first round. To run it all, Utah Jazz acquired Jalen Hood-Schifino and two choices in the second round.
Luka Dončić from Mavericks smiles before the game 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 year. Match last season and won’t be 26 until later this month. In his career an average of 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists, which puts itself in the MVP conversation every year in his young career.
Meanwhile, Davis finished in fourth place in NBA’s defensive player of the year voting last year and average over 25 points and 12 rebounds this season.
