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REPORT: Lakers Negotiating Hard to Land Luka Doncic from Mavs
L.A. pushes for a deal involving star guard amid risk concerns—was it all part of the plan?
The blockbuster trade involving Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis has rocked the NBA, leaving many to wonder why the Dallas Mavericks seemingly let go of their superstar so easily. Was Dallas Mavericks president Nico Harrison’s decision motivated by concerns about Doncic’s future? Or did the Lakers simply outmaneuver them?
The Trade: A Shocking Move
The trade sends Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers to Dallas. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris are headed to L.A. Additionally, the Utah Jazz become a third-party beneficiary, receiving Jalen Hood-Schifino from the Lakers along with a 2025 second-round pick from both L.A. and Dallas.
Despite the high-profile names involved, many are asking why Harrison agreed to the deal so quickly. Some point to the potential financial burden of a supermax contract extension for Doncic, while others question whether concerns about his fitness and weight were enough to influence such a monumental trade.
Behind Closed Doors: Pelinka’s Negotiation Strategy
According to NBA analyst Kirk Goldsberry, the trade almost looked very different. Goldsberry claims that, originally, the Mavericks were set to receive even more in return for Doncic. However, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka reportedly convinced Dallas to lower their demands, painting Luka as a high-risk player.
Goldsberry shared insights from a source inside the Lakers during a recent appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast: “One of my sources inside the Lakers was indicating that the deal was bigger—and I think you guys were literally joking about this last night—that there were two first-round picks and there was Dalton Knecht, and the deal got whittled down.”
Pelinka’s Influence
It seems that Pelinka played a key role in reshaping the trade, convincing Dallas that the risk surrounding Luka Doncic was substantial. As Goldsberry put it, Pelinka highlighted concerns over Doncic’s lifestyle and weight issues, stating, “You guys are right for trying to think of this this way, because this guy, oh, his drinking, whatever. Oh, his weight problem, whatever it is.”
This weeks-long negotiation reportedly started with the Mavericks, only to see the Lakers come out on top by convincing them to settle for less.
A Win for the Lakers…But at What Cost?
While the Lakers may have come out ahead with a trade that sent them one of the NBA’s brightest stars, the Mavericks didn’t exactly walk away empty-handed. Anthony Davis remains a formidable player at 31, but the trade still feels like a missed opportunity for Dallas.
Had Harrison been able to secure more assets, it might have looked like a different story. However, it’s clear that the Lakers’ tactical negotiation strategies, led by Pelinka, played a huge role in finalizing the deal, raising questions about whether Dallas could have gotten more for their franchise player.
In the end, what started as a huge trade has only grown more complex and puzzling. It’s becoming evident that, as time passes, the full story behind the trade might be even more intriguing than what initially meets the eye.