One of the most talked-about moves in NBA history, and perhaps even in sports history, was the Los Angeles Lakers’ acquisition of Luka Dončić.
What stirred up the most excitement was not just the fact that the Dallas Mavericks were willing to part ways with a 25-year-old global superstar who had been named to five consecutive All-NBA first teams. It wasn’t just that they received a 31-year-old Anthony Davis in return. It wasn’t just the way the trade was executed in secrecy during the night without informing Dončić, who clearly did not want to leave. And it wasn’t just the leaked reports blaming his conditioning as he departed.
What really irked fans outside of Dallas was the Lakers once again landing a superstar, and this time it seemed almost too easy. And it wasn’t just the fans who felt that way.
Speaking to the broadcast during a game against the Lakers, Utah Jazz general manager Justin Zanik, who played a role in the trade as the third team by absorbing Jalen Hood-Schifino’s contract, agreed that the Lakers had received “a gift,” a sentiment shared by other NBA executives as well:
“Obviously, [Lakers general manager] Rob Pelinka even said it in his press conference introducing Luka, that it was a gift. And I think that’s how a lot of my colleagues — don’t want to speak for them — but how we all kind of felt. But Nico and Dallas, they do a great job. They obviously had their reasons wanting to improve their defense and obviously getting a top 50 player on their own right there, they decided that was in their best interest.”
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who was on his way to becoming the most disliked figure in Dallas sports history, admitted that he only engaged in trade talks with the Lakers, despite Dončić being one of the most valuable assets in the league.
The Mavericks reportedly accepted a smaller package to prevent news of the trade from leaking, rather than allowing the Lakers to discuss a contract extension with Dončić, which would have signaled the impending move.
Regarding the Jazz’s involvement in the trade, Zanik doesn’t seem too concerned:
“Where we were, with having some extra space and [Jazz owner Ryan Smith] giving us great resources to use that stuff to pick up things that are a benefit to the Jazz, we were able to execute on that. Obviously, it kind of re-shaped the Western Conference. When we are up there with those guys here very soon, maybe I’ll care a little bit more being the third team.”
Interestingly, the Jazz went on to defeat the Lakers convincingly in the same game.
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