In the early hours of Sunday morning, the most shocking trade in NBA history went down when the Dallas Mavericks traded superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for a package centered around Anthony Davis. The move completely rattled the NBA landscape and gave the Lakers yet another in their long history of foundational superstars to build around, setting themselves up for the post LeBron James era in the process.

In the aftermath of the trade, there were several reports that indicated what Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison's mindset was that could have made him decide to trade his franchise's best player, including concerns about Doncic's weight and conditioning as well as hesitancy that he might sign a supermax extension when eligible.

However, Doncic has a different account of events, saying “absolutely not” when asked at his introductory Lakers press conference whether or not he gave the Mavericks an indication he wouldn't sign a supermax with them, per Joey Mistretta on X.

“That's their decision so I have no comment… They made the decision, I don't know why. That's their decision so I can't do nothing about it,” said Doncic about the trade.

A shocking move

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic is introduced at UCLA Health Training Center.
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Article Continues Below
More Dallas Mavericks News
Kyrie Irving, Tracy McGrady
Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving shoots back at Tracy McGrady’s handles commentBurtland Dixon ·
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) looks on during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center.
Kyrie Irving drops words of wisdom at basketball campDavid Yapkowitz ·
May 16, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) shoots against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Paige Bueckers’ NBA Draft plans will catch Wings, Mavericks fans’ attentionJoey Mistretta ·
Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Jared Dudley works with the Mavericks before the game against the Boston Celtics at the American Airlines Center.
Mavericks assistant Jared Dudley makes intriguing coaching moveJoey Mistretta ·
Feb 16, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Tracy McGrady attends the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center.
The player Tracy McGrady believes had better handles than Kyrie IrvingZachary Draves ·
Rolando Blackman of the Dallas Mavericks poses with Mark Tatum NBA Deputy Commissioner after winning the the first pick during the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery at McCormick Place.
Mavericks’ 10 best lottery picks in history, rankedSpencer See ·

In general, trading the best player on your team isn't an advisable move to try to “win now,” but that's exactly the rationale that Nico Harrison attempted to use in the aftermath of a trade that immediately vilified him within the Mavericks fanbase.

To be sure, Anthony Davis will give the Mavericks a degree of defensive versatility that may very well make them the best in the league on that end of the floor, and the team will still have two electric scorers with him and Kyrie Irving.

However, Doncic was off to one of the best career starts of any player in NBA history and is theoretically just now entering his prime years. It's a bit hard to believe that concerns about his weight or conditioning would have led the Mavericks to do something this drastic when the New Orleans Pelicans have stuck with Zion Williamson for as long as they have.

In any case, Doncic will get his first shot at his old squad when the Lakers play the Mavericks on February 25.