Mavericks Tried To Trade Luka Doncic To 2 Teams Before Lakers
Mavericks Tried To Trade Luka Doncic To 2 Teams Before Lakers
The Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a major move involving Anthony Davis. The Mavericks had previously explored trade options with both the Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves.
General Manager Nico Harrison met with Lakers GM Rob Pelinka at Ascension Coffee in Dallas to negotiate terms. The trade has sparked intense reactions from the Dallas fanbase.
The Lakers secured one of the NBA’s premier talents in Doncic, creating a shift in the league’s competitive landscape. This move marks a significant change for both franchises.
Dallas first attempted discussions with two other teams before finalizing the deal with Los Angeles. The process took place behind closed doors before becoming public knowledge.
“According to two NBA sources, the Mavs had interactions with at least two other teams besides the Lakers. They claimed the Mavs also had conversations with the Bucks and Timberwolves. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out which players from those teams would have piqued the Mavs’ interest. With the Bucks, it was Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP who led the Bucks to the NBA title in 2021. Antetokounmpo happens to have a strong rapport with Mavs coach Jason Kidd and his right-hand man, Sean Sweeney,” Gery Woelfel reported.
“When Kidd was fired in 2018 after being the Bucks head coach for 3-plus seasons, Antetokounmpo didn’t mince words on his fond feelings for Kidd.
“‘He’s a big part of my success,’ Antetokounmpo said then of Kidd. ‘I love him as a person. I care about him as a person.’
“Antetokounmpo then added, ‘I was only 18 (when he joined the Bucks). I didn’t even know how the NBA worked.
“‘He trusted me. He put the ball in my hands. He pushed me to be great.’
“According to one source, the Mavs reached out to the Bucks. But the Bucks made it clear to Mavs they wouldn’t trade Antetokounmpo even though his future with the team is murky.
“As for the Timberwolves, it’s only logical that any potential deal between the Mavs and Timberwolves would have included Anthony Edwards, their ascending 23-year-old superstar. The league sources I contacted regarding the Doncic-Davis declined to divulge specifics of the Mavs talks with the Bucks and Timberwolves, but they were adamant those talks took place,” Woelfel added.
The trade represents one of the most significant player movements in recent NBA history. Doncic’s departure from Dallas ends his tenure as the Mavericks’ cornerstone player.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
