Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers primarily in exchange for Anthony Davis and Max Christie.
So much has happened in the NBA in the last two weeks. We are way past the trade deadline of February 6, Shaq’s OGs won the 2025 All-Star Game, Jimmy Butler’s almost-ruined stay with the Heats came to an end, and so much more. However, even after two weeks, Luka Doncic’s blockbuster trade deal remains a hot topic.
Two weeks ago, the Dallas Mavericks dropped a bombshell on fans by trading their superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers primarily in exchange for Anthony Davis and Max Christie. Needless to say, the franchise had to receive flak from fans, pundits and players, while everyone across the fraternity is still trying to process the deal.
Recently, former NBA player Jalen Rose ripped into the franchise for the trade move that sent the league into a state of shock. Rose was present at the TNT’s All-Star Game broadcast, where he made some blunt comments on the deal.
Rose said that while Doncic isn’t in the best shape and needs to improve a lot as a 25-year-old, Davis was the second-best player on the championship team. “Is he in the greatest shape? No. Does he have some off-court things that he probably needs to improve as a 25-year-old? Absolutely… I love Anthony Davis, but he was the second best player on a championship team,” Rose said.
Not only this, but Rose also went on to say that he thinks the Mavericks didn’t want to pay Luka, and if that was the case, they should sell the team.
“When Luka wins the championship… He’s gonna be the best player on a championship team. To me, it seems like they didn’t want to pay Luka. For me, if you don’t want to pay Luka, then just sell the team,” he added.
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Not only this, but during his stay with the Mavericks, the Slovenian had five All-Star selections and five NBA First Team selections. The 25-year-old played over 422 regular season games with the Mavs, and averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists.
Hall of Famer Rick Welts, who replaced Cynt Marshall as the CEO of the Dallas Mavericks in December 2024, also spoke about the deal that has still gotten everyone talking.
Welts talked to Dallas Morning News and said that the team seemed to underestimate the fans’ reaction. He added that after being associated with the NBA for over 47 years, the reaction was something he had never seen.
“I thought I’d seen everything in my 47 years in the NBA, but clearly this was different.”
Welts also shared his positive approach about the deal and said that while it is an emotional time for the fans, things are going be better on the other side.
“It’s incredibly emotional, an incredibly difficult time for so many people. But I still believe we’re going to come out on the other side, with a future that’s incredibly bright. That’s kind of my glass-half-full approach there,” he added.
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