The Dallas Mavericks say goodbye to your superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers And in return acquiring Anthony Davis. The surprising trade can only be explained by the fact that the “Mavs” have lost confidence in their leader.
The PR department of the Dallas Mavericks relied on normality on Monday. One day after the Mavericks adopted their leader and superstar Luka Doncic to the La Lakers, as part of a spectacular exchange business, in which Anthony Davis comes to Dallas in return from the Lakers. The “MAVS” published a Farewell video for “Luka Magic” via their Instagram channel-the reactions in the comments below fluctuated between the gally ridicule and bare hatred.
The anger of the fans was primarily against Nico Harrison, the General Manager The “Mavs”, who surprisingly chased the man from the farm, who had led Dallas to the NBA finals last June for the first time since the triumph with Dirk Nowitzki. The day before, videos of Dallas fans were circulated at social media, which turned a coffin in front of the “MAVS” arena.
Manager Harrison made it clear in the first press conference after the controversial transfer became known that the decision was solely responsible. Trainer Jason Kidd, who was sitting next to him on the podium, was not inaugurated before, said Harrison. However, they are basically on a line when it comes to squad issues.
Mavericks threaded exchange with Lakers
It now seems undisputed that the exchange business was initiated solely by the Mavericks organization, as the insiders generally very well informed at “ESPN“reported. Dallas had contacted the Lakers management three and a half weeks earlier to negotiate a possible trade: they wanted to bring Anthony Davis, the second superstar of the Lakers next to LeBron James, to Texas.
The Lakers, in turn, will not have considered long: the question of who should be the new face of the franchise, when the now 40-year-old “King James” leaves, was practically answered by itself, through the completely unpleasant exclusive offer from Dallas : The Lakers can now start building a new team around Doncic in the next few years, a five -time Allstar, top scorer of the past season.
Surprising trade – also for Doncic
According to reports, Doncic apparently also met the trade completely unprepared. “I actually thought I would finish my career here. My big goal was to give you the championship“The Slovenian posted in a farewell statement to the fans in Dallas and thanked for support in the past six seasons.
Doncic without a “no-trade clause”-also glue to the Lakers
Although Doncic is one of the biggest stars in the league, he has no so -called “No-trade clause“. So he did not have a say in the trades that are negotiated solely by the NBA franchises involved. Together with Doncic, the Würzburg Maxi Kleber, currently injured, and Markieff Morris sent to LA. In return, the” MAVS “get next to Davis the 21-year-old Youngster Max Christie.
Remains the question of which is further puzzled on all US sports channels: Why the Mavericks were apparently determined to exchange their franchise player, who at 25 years has the majority of his career to exchange for a player like Davis: one Ten times Allstar, NBA champion 2020 with the Lakers, but also 31 years old, and also susceptible to injuries.
Davis wish player for the “Mavs”
When he’s fit, Davis is “One of the best Two-way players in the league“As Dallas-GM Harrison emphasized-a player who can shine at both ends of the field: as a scorer, rebounder and” rim protector “in the zone.”Defensive wins titles“, Harrison quoted an NBA evergreen,”He will do our team better.“
But this is exactly what opinions differ from many experts. It is known that defense is not one of Luka Doncic’s strengths. And that the overall package on the defensive on the “MAVS” is not enough for the title profit, it was recently cleared in the NBA finals when Dallas of the Boston Celtics was overwhelmed. A strong “big man” like Davis should definitely give the Mavericks the desired defensive power.
Davis, Irving and Thompson as a new trio at the “Mavs”
The combination with playmaker Kyrie Irving and three-person specialist Klay Thompson, who can tear apart the opposing defensive network with its throwing strength from outside, also seems promising in the attack. But the impact that Doncic has brought the “Mavs” so far should hardly weigh this: the Slovenian, nominally playmaker, is aggressively a machine that can make a game alone on good days. For Dallas, he achieved an average of 28.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 basket templates per game.
Davis against Doncic – a bad deal for Dallas?
In order to get a megastar like Doncic, clubs usually have to give up a whole package of players on a trade, mostly still garnished with a few valuable future draft picks. But the business between Dallas and the Lakers practically went to a one-to-one exchange: Doncic against Davis, the Lakers did not have to hand over any other top performers. For Dallas, this initially acts like a bad deal – especially since the Mavericks managers known to have only negotiated with the Lakers about a possible trade, and not with other clubs.
The other motifs in Dallas can only be speculated. A first trace led to Doncic’s contractual situation: He could have signed a new, so-called Supermax contract for over $ 345 million in the “MAVS” in the summer and would have remained the face of the franchise, just like Dirk Nowitzki.
Doubts in the “MAVS” management to Doncic
Apparently there was considerable doubts in the “MAVS” management internally to entrust the team to Doncic over the next few years. The recurring reports fit in with this, the Slovenian would not pay enough attention to his fitness and nutrition. A scene from last year’s playoffs is always happy to be brought out when Doncic celebrated the move into the finals together with his father Sasa in the catacombs. Michael Finley, Vice President of the “Mavs”, comes by and takes a can of beer out of his hand to the puzzled superstar, like a caught eight -grader on the school trip.
According to “ESPN” reports, the frequently recurring injury problems of the superstar, who already missed 27 games this season, were increasingly associated with his fitness state with the Dallas managers. “Mavs” GM Harrison confirmed that he would never say anything bad about his players. But then he also spoke of “Players who fit our team culture“, and from”Players who are added and enrich our team culture“.
Doncic exit in Dallas: “A real statement”
The sudden, premature end of Doncic’s time in Dallas is for “ESPN” commentator Stephen A. Smith “A real statement“The Mavericks that this will also have a lasting impact on the entire NBA.”To trade someone from a caliber like Luka, at that time in the season, without knowing anything about it, that is a clear message of club owners: we still have control, not her.“