Drama ensues near the trade deadline as Luka Doncic is set to move to the Los Angeles Lakers. If you can’t believe what you’re reading, don’t worry, all of us are in the same boat. Doncic was part of a three-team deal between the Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Utah Jazz. But in order to join LeBron James in LA, Luka gave up some huge financial gains. Well, it wasn’t exactly his call but we’ll get to that.

Luka is currently in the 3rd year of his 5-year contract with the Mavs, whose bill will now be footed by the Lakers. However, the impending trade has caused Luka to miss out significantly when it comes to his next contract. As reported by ESPN’s Bobby Marks, it seems Luka will miss out on a potential 5-year, $345 million supermax contract.

This is down to the fact that to be eligible for a supermax contract, you must remain with the same team that drafted you. The only exception is if the player was traded within four years of their career’s beginning. And this is certainly not the case for Luka.

Marks says that the best available financial option for Luka would be to sign a three-year extension this summer with a player option in 28-29. In Marks’ words, this “would allow him to reach 10 years of service and recoup most if not all from the missed opportunity to sign the super max this offseason.”  However, even if he can pull this off, he will not receive the same compensation in hand given the tax rates in California.

While Luka Doncic is probably excited to re-enter the league as a teammate of the arguable GOAT, he will still rue the missed financial opportunity. However, as we said earlier, the call wasn’t his to make. It was in fact, Nico Harrison, the Mavs’ GM who pulled the trigger on this trade. Let’s see what motivated him to do so.

Dallas Mavericks GM, Nico Harrison reveals the reason behind Luka Doncic trade

The decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Lakers seems inexplicable to many. Especially after Doncic led them to their first NBA final in years just a few months ago. However, Nico Harrison, the Dallas Mavericks’ GM, came out to give his reasoning behind Doncic’s trade. And Mavs fans, fair warning, you probably won’t like what you hear.

Harrison spoke to ESPN’s Tim McMahon about why the Mavs traded Doncic. He said, “I believe defense wins championships. I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future.”

On paper, this seems like sound reasoning from the Dallas GM. But you Mavs fans must be losing your minds reading this. For starters, calling Anthony Davis a center is one of the biggest faux pas you can commit as a figure in the world of basketball. Moreover, trading a 25-year-old Doncic for AD who is 31 does not sound like building for the future. 

However, having a player the caliber of AD among their ranks will certainly help the Mavs right now. After all, he leads the Lakers in all stat splits this season apart from assists. Provided he is healthy, Davis is an absolute wrecking ball on the court. 

We will fill you in with any other details that may emerge from this blockbuster trade. Nonetheless, one thing is guaranteed. Luka Doncic’s return game at the American Airlines Center draped in purple and gold will be LEGENDARY!