By Sunday 
Did the Mavericks Undervalue Their Superstar? Fans Think So
A Trade No One Saw Coming
The NBA world was shaken when the Dallas Mavericks pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade, sending Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers. In return, Dallas received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
Fans in Dallas were left stunned—not just by the fact that their franchise cornerstone was traded, but by the underwhelming return. To make matters worse, the Mavericks even had to throw in a second-round pick, which was sent to the Utah Jazz.
The shockwave from this deal has yet to settle. In a scene reminiscent of a sports tragedy, fans gathered outside the Dirk Nowitzki statue at PNC Plaza, leaving behind jerseys, signs, and memorabilia in honor of the departed Doncic.
Did the Mavericks Get Enough?
While Anthony Davis is undoubtedly a superstar and Max Christie is a promising young player, many Mavericks fans are questioning why the team didn’t push for a larger haul. Doncic, at just 25 years old, is one of the NBA’s brightest talents and has yet to reach his full potential.
For a player of his caliber, a single first-round pick from the Lakers in 2029 feels underwhelming. Many fans expected additional assets—at least another rotation player or the Lakers’ 2031 first-round pick—to soften the blow. Instead, Dallas settled for what now appears to be a lopsided exchange.
Lakers’ Next Move Exposes the Flaw
Adding insult to injury, the Lakers quickly leveraged their remaining assets to improve their roster even further. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Los Angeles traded Dalton Knecht, their 2031 first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap to the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams.
This move stung Mavericks fans even more. Two of the three pieces the Lakers used to acquire Williams could have been included in the Doncic trade. If Dallas had negotiated differently, they could have ended up with additional assets that would have better positioned them for the future.
A Costly Missed Opportunity
Had the Mavericks insisted on an extra first-round pick and Knecht in the deal, their return for Doncic would have looked significantly better. Instead, Los Angeles walked away not only with one of the NBA’s best players but also with enough flexibility to further strengthen their team.
Now, Mavericks fans are left wondering—was this an avoidable mistake, or will it be remembered as one of the biggest trade blunders in franchise history? Whatever the case, the ripple effects of this deal will be felt for years to come.