The Dallas Mavericks

Yes, I know it's been a while since my last upload and blog post. But to thank everyone who is still reading this, you are getting two this week. I will also make you a promise. If I don’t upload at least once a week for the rest of the semester, I will buy an Eagles’ Jahan Dotson jersey and post a photo of it for my week one NFL prediction entry in 2025. 

Anyway, here I was, minding my own business on a Saturday night when, all of a sudden, I got a call from my friend, who just said, "Shams." He then proceeded to tell me that the Mavericks had traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis. Like most people, I thought it must be a hack. There’s no way that could happen in real life. Then, when it was confirmed, I still couldn't believe it was real. While there's a part of me that thinks NBA Commissioner Adam Silver orchestrated this trade because the league's ratings are down, that's not what I'll focus on here. 

The Mavericks’ new ownership decided instead of paying Doncic, who was literally the first superstar that has wanted to stay in Dallas since Dirk Nowitzki, they would trade him for a guy who is entering the twilight of his career and can't stay healthy, plus one (1) first-round pick. Meanwhile, the  Nets received five first-round picks for Mikal Bridges who can’t even hold Doncic’s water bottle. That’s incompetence from the general manager and ownership. When your head coach doesn’t know a trade is going to happen there is a massive problem. When you tell the superstar player that he is being traded over text after it happens, there are problems. 

I am beyond frustrated with this trade because the Mavericks didn’t receive enough value for Doncic, and it's not even close. When the Wizards traded John Wall back when this blog first started, they were able to turn what they got (i.e., Russell Westbrook) into pieces that would help them in the future, equaling the value of Wall and then some. None of the pieces that the Mavericks received will do that. The first-round pick they got isn’t until 2029, so unless they're already scouting middle schoolers, I don’t know how it will help them. 

You also have to consider that they JUST MADE THE NBA FINALS! If you suffered a first round exit then I can understand it (maybe). But they were three wins away from becoming champions and instead of continuing to build off the success, they killed it in the middle of the night to save some money.

Do you disagree with my take? Let me know in the comments below.