The Mavericks lost the Luka Doncic trade. That much is non-negotiable. Even if they wind up correct in their long-term assessment of Doncic’s conditioning and commitment woes, this is one trifling haul in return for it. Once upon a time, the Thunder snagged five first-round picks and future All-NBA first-teamer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for a 29-year-old Paul George. Now, in exchange for Doncic, who is–when aggregating talent, age, and contract–the most valuable player ever traded, Mavs GM Nico Harrison has managed to finesse an aging Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a single 2029 first-round pick….
Pairing Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving would be a fine tinker under different circumstances, like a free agency team-up or a fringe-playoff Hail Mary (à la Jimmy Butler to the Warriors). But in this case, it is egregious. Davis and Irving are both north of thirty, with extensive injury histories to boot. The Mavericks traded in their future for a lukewarm superteam with a fleeting window of opportunity. I won’t over-explain it, because the Mavs have been rightfully grilled about it for a week now.
So, even as I play shock jock and try to offer an alternative take on last weekend’s blockbuster, I cannot with a straight face tell you the Mavericks “won” this trade. I can, however, tell you the Lakers might’ve lost it too.
Lebron James and Doncic are poised for an incredible power struggle. Despite James’ claim that they are “two selfless competitors”, these are a couple of the most ball-dominant players in the league. It’s going to be difficult to tell Doncic, at the peak of his ability, coming off an NBA Finals appearance, to simply fall in line. Alternatively, it’s going to be difficult to tell James, who has never played second-fiddle in his career, whose ego is legendary, to simply let Doncic take the reins. Calibrating their team chemistry whatsoever, let alone midseason, is going to be an awkward process, if not an impossible one.
Even if they do sort out their offensive dynamic, the Lakers remain horribly vulnerable on defense. Already lackluster in that regard, they now lose one of the league’s best defenders while taking in one of its biggest liabilities. The acquisition of Mark Williams is a fine makeshift solution, but hardly enough. Nonetheless, there is a prevailing mentality among executives that enough starpower and raw talent can overcome any schematic shortcomings. A marquee of Luka Doncic and LeBron James makes a tall promise. I’m not sold.
The Lakers are spread thin between their commitments. They must look ahead at the future and build around the 25-year-old Doncic. They also must continue to appease the 40-year-old box-office sensation LeBron James– the same course of dedication that led them to draft his son Bronny seven months ago. The timelines don’t align. Yet, the media and fans have rushed to anoint Doncic as their next franchise centerpiece, regardless of immediate success. But, if his tenure does in fact get off on the wrong foot, what’s stopping Doncic from promptly leaving? He can opt into free agency as early as next summer, and the Lakers are unable to offer him a supermax contract as leverage.
The Mavericks have made a cataclysmic mistake in trading Doncic. Make no mistake about it. But I’m not convinced the Lakers come out of this ordeal as winners either. Maybe the biggest trade of the 21st century is a lose-lose.
Doncic makes his Lakers debut against the Utah Jazz on Monday, February 10 at 9:30 P.M.
