The NBA world was rocked on February 2, 2025, when the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in what’s being called the most shocking move in modern sports history. The deal, finalized late Saturday night around 10 PM PST, stunned fans and insiders alike—so much so that many initially believed ESPN’s Shams Charania had been hacked.
Doncic, long viewed as the face of the Mavericks franchise and heir to Dirk Nowitzki, was sent to a conference rival under the cover of darkness. According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the move was not just sudden—it was calculated.
“Basically what happened here was Luka got his butt kissed by the organization for six years,” MacMahon explained during an appearance on ClutchPoints’ Sitting Courtside. “And I think you could argue, rightfully so… After getting his butt kissed for six years, he got stabbed in his back midway through his seventh season.”
The trade blindsided Doncic and his agent, Bill Duffy. The Mavs kept negotiations under wraps to prevent any leaks or interference, suggesting a deep internal rift had formed behind the scenes.
At the heart of the decision was doubt—doubt about Doncic’s long-term health, conditioning, and ultimately, whether he was worth the massive five-year, $345 million supermax extension he was eligible for this summer. Despite Doncic’s clear All-NBA talent, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison reportedly convinced team governor Patrick Dumont that the extension was too risky.
MacMahon revealed, “I’ve had a difficult time finding anybody around the NBA who would agree with that assessment.” The sentiment echoes around the league, where many executives and players have expressed disbelief at Dallas’ decision.
The move also marks a shift in the Mavericks’ leadership dynamic. With Mark Cuban selling his majority stake in late 2023, his influence over basketball operations vanished. Cuban, once deeply involved in roster decisions, had no say in the trade that sent away the franchise’s brightest star since Nowitzki.
For Mavericks fans, the sting is particularly sharp. “Loyalty Never Fades Away” is engraved on Nowitzki’s statue outside the American Airlines Center—a phrase that now feels painfully ironic.
Though Doncic’s conditioning and temperament had been criticized, his loyalty to the city and franchise was never in question. MacMahon summed it up: “The one thing you cannot say about him was that he lacked loyalty.”
As the Lakers gear up for a new era with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Luka Doncic forming a super trio, the Mavericks face an uncertain future—and a fanbase wondering how they let a generational talent walk away.
