BJ Mathews is a credential NBA creator covering the LA Clippers for thePeachBasket.net. He is also a host of the Pull Up! Basketball Podcast. In this article he takes a different stance than the masses as he explores the Mavericks Gamble – Davis-Doncic trade. The trade that continues to shake the NBA!
Who Won The Luka Doncic Anthony Davis Trade?
“It’s a business don’t think you’re safe at any point they’re always having a conversation about you.” That is a quote from the All-star shooting guard of the Phoenix Suns Devin Booker. Saturday night, during their game vs the Portland Trail Blazers. Players such as Kevin Durant, Royce O’neal, and Bradley Beal all had faces of shock while on the Suns bench.
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks engaged in one of the biggest deals in NBA history swapping all-star big man Anthony Davis for superstar forward Luka Doncic. It is still surreal even after 24 hours. I do not think will hit until both players put on opposing jerseys.
Mavericks Gamble: How Did We Get Here?
So, lets unpack this. Let us start with the first question. How did we get here? Well, that is and extensive explanation. I think its best if we get the facts from the man who broke the story NBA senior Insider Shams Charania.
It is a little bit different when you hear it from the horse’s mouth. That is the basis of it though. Two sides having conversation days prior leading to the announcement of the deal being finalized by Shams. The way the deal got done under the table I think is as shocking than the two names who were involved in the blockbuster deal itself. I mean when was the last time we seen something like this happen?
Dallas just made it to the NBA finals. Doncic is one of the top 5 players in the game today. At 25 years old, in his 7th season he still has a lot of great basketball to play. Why would the Mavericks make this move at this time? The word around the campfire is that it was a pattern of lack of conditioning and being in shape, but I think it may be deeper than that.
While you got the Lakers side with Davis at 31 years old, he has been with the Lakers since the bubble provided them with a championship, and with a 40-year-old Lebron James on his way-out AD would finally be given the keys. The Lakers though decided to go a different route.
The Mavericks Perspective: Defense Wins Championships
According to Shams, none of the players or coaches were aware of either organization that this deal was going down. Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison was the one who pulled the trigger. This is the quote he had to say, “I believe that defense wins championships,” Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison told ESPN’s Tim McMahon, explaining his motivation to deal Doncic for Davis. “I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future.” He echoed those same sentiments in a press conference before the Mavericks-Cleveland Cavaliers on February 2nd, 2025.
After hearing that, it seems like Harrison deeply believes that he made the right decision to pull the trigger. And I agree with him. I believe the Dallas Mavericks won the trade in the present and the near future. I know many of you all are wide eyed to hear that, but please hear me out.
For those who do not know, Harrison is a former college and professional basketball player. This day in age defense seems to be a forgotten art, the league is more built on offense and fancy plays. While defense is not as sexy and does not show on the stat sheet, but like Harrison said it wins championships. An when you get an elite two-way player that plays offense and defense at a prominent level that puts that player in a small company.
The Lakers Gamble: Doncic’s Fit and Future
So, I thought that statement stuck out to me like, “ok, this guy may be on to something here.” Harrison also stated, he knows the type of players his head coach Jason Kidd likes. Which my guess would be two-way players, now Kidd did not know that would mean trading away the organizations franchise player, but that is the personnel of players he thought mixed best.
Anthony Davis comes in as a top 10 player and may be the best two-way player in the game today. When you mix that in with how he can move to the power forward position where he won a championship in 2020, and Dallas has plenty of size, versatility, and defense surrounding him it becomes easier for him to play his style of basketball.
I understand that may not be the most popular opinion, but I am looking at this from a basketball standpoint. Luka Doncic to the Lakers is an exciting move, but there are some question marks. The Lakers are the 5th seed, and they just lost their best player, and Doncic is currently injured. The first question is how will he fit with Lakers star Lebron James?
Two ball dominant players who one is a below average defender (Doncic) and the other who was once a particularly good defender (James) has dropped significantly on defense. So that, leaves Austin Reaves as his backcourt running mate which makes that backcourt vulnerable defensively. As well, as their frontcourt who is lacking size at the center position that they need to address.
Now of course, Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka understands Doncic will be a long-term deal, and he is going to do everything in his power to bring guys that fit around Doncic. This is why this was more of a move for future replacing James with Doncic. If you look at the big picture the Lakers got what they wanted, if Doncic can hold his end of the bargain. This is where I take a different stance from the masses.
Doncic’s Challenges: A Deeper Look
Going back to the original question, why were the Mavericks willing to trade Doncic and trade him for a price that is considered low for a player of his caliber? Here is what we do know. Luka has struggled with a few things weight gain, being a defensive liability, and behavior with the referees. The 2024 NBA finals against the Boston Celtics Doncic being a defensive liability stood out. That is something we can point at that has been a weakness of his for all his career.
As well as his behavior towards the referees pleading for foul calls. Now I know, he is not the only one in the league, but he stands out. He was top three in technical fouls in the 2023-24 regular season, and number one in technical fouls in last year’s postseason. Then you transition to being in shape, I go by the eye test a lot of times. Luka Doncic, I believe plays basketball to get his way into game shape. Which is not actually bad, but there is another component that involves fitness and training.
The Importance of Off-Season Conditioning
The things that NBA players do in the offseason for when they come into training camp, they are ready to go. The morning runs on the track, the consistent weight room sessions, stretching daily, etc. All the trivial things that make a significant difference for a long season. Based on, the current and past reports with Doncic’s style of play I do not see that he really values offseason fitness, and that is what I believe became a concern for him in Dallas when it came to paying him that mega contract 5 year 300 plus million-dollar contract. If you do not take care of your body it is going to show, especially as you get older.
LeBron’s Potential Impact on Doncic’s Future
Luckily, his new teammate Lebron is as good as you can get with being in tip top shape. This is where Lebron can leave his imprint with the Lakers on his way out. Doncic looked up to Lebron growing up in Slovenia. Makes perfect sense in how they have similarities how they play basketball. Can Lebron put his arm around Doncic and give him the blueprint and help him with his fitness in taking care of his body? That will be the key for the Lakers the longevity of Doncic because if he continues down this path than his NBA prime and career will be shortened.
