NBA: After Mavericks's call to trade Luka Doncic to Lakers is met with shock, GM Nico Harrison explains reasons

Dallas Mavericks sent shockwaves across the NBA with their bold call to to trade superstar Luka Doncic to Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis and Max Christie with the trade deadline fast approaching. The 25-year-old Doncic is widely considered one of the greatest European players of all time and is also the face of the Mavericks, and the team’s decision to part ways with a star of his stature certainly has left fans as well as legends of the game and stars of the current generation scratching their heads.

Luka Dončić, a Los Angeles Laker! ✨ pic.twitter.com/nVrr1EnMtQ

— NBA (@NBA) February 4, 2025

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Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, however, defended the move, saying that while he understood why fans have reacted to the trade with shock, the team has positioned itself to “win now and also win in the future” with this trade.

“I understand why they would be shocked, initially. But I do believe that we positioned ourselves to win now and also win in the future. And that’s ultimately the goal and why we’re here. It’s one of those things where it’s my job to make the tough decisions that put our goals first and foremost,” Harrison told The Dallas Morning News.

#MFFL pic.twitter.com/qVMcV2uh5m

— Luka Doncic (@lukadoncic) February 2, 2025

Harrison, additionally, credited Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka for his role in the trade discussion, and for keeping the entire deal under wraps for weeks.

“Trades don’t happen at the smallest level without stuff getting out and Rob and I were able to have really intense conversations over the course of three or four weeks,” Harrison was quoted as saying by USA Today, which added that Doncic had not asked for a trade.

Doncic’s trade to Lakers met with protests

According to reports, fans in Dallas took to the streets to protest the move and even created a makeshift memorial at the foot of Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki, who reacted to the news with a sad-faced emoji. Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving highlighted NBA’s unprectable nature when he said, “Anybody is up for grabs”.

Doncic’s father too slammed the Mavericks for giving up on the biggest name in their roster.

“I think Luka absolutely did not deserve this. He sacrificed a lot and truly respected Dallas.

“He respected the whole city, helped children, and never hesitated to visit hospitals and charity events. He played 100 games last season, averaging 40 minutes while constantly being double-teamed. It’s really unfair what certain people from Dallas did,” Sasa told Arena Sport Slovenija.