Mavericks players learned about the Luka Doncic trade through Shams Charania’s tweet late Saturday night and they had the same incredulous reaction as everyone else, writes Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoop Journal (subscription required).
“I was like everybody – did Shams get hacked? It was a real big shock,” Dante Exum said. “I’ve been traded twice, and you just learn that it’s how this business works, and it’s something you have to adjust to.”
The aftershocks of the surprise mega-deal continued to reverberate throughout the league on Sunday, particularly in the Mavs’ locker room as they played an afternoon game in Cleveland just hours after finding out that their franchise player was headed to Los Angeles. With Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively and Dwight Powell all sidelined due to injuries, Dallas couldn’t keep the game competitive, giving up 91 first-half points and losing by 43 to the best team in the East.
“It’s tough, but we all have a job to do,” Jaden Hardy said. “Obviously a lot of people were caught off guard, same with the team, like the rest of the world. He was special. A lot of guys felt for him. Still shocked right now.”
Hardy adds that Doncic sent out texts to all his teammates to say good-bye. He expressed gratitude for what they accomplished together and reflected on the bonds they created.
“He texted the team, thanking everybody for everything,” Hardy said. “That was nice from somebody that got traded, reaching out and letting everybody know his thoughts.”
There’s more on the Mavericks:
- After years of playing alongside Stephen Curry with Golden State, Klay Thompson decided to come to Dallas last summer to team up with another elite player in Doncic. Even though they were only teammates for a few months, Thompson isn’t second-guessing his decision, Afseth tweets. “ I live with no regrets. I’m happy to be a Maverick,” Thompson said. “Incredibly grateful to be a Maverick. I’m excited to be in Dallas and I’m very excited for what’s ahead.”
- The Mavericks aren’t sure when Anthony Davis will be ready to make his debut, according to Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. Davis suffered an abdominal strain last week, and the Lakers were planning to reevaluate his condition on Wednesday. Dallas general manager Nico Harrison told reporters yesterday that the injury isn’t “significant” and he’ll have a better idea of when Davis can resume playing once his physical is complete. “I don’t have a perfect answer for that,” Harrison said. “I mean, everything just happened. I don’t even think it was midnight last night, like 2, 3 in the morning. So we’re still trying to get physicals, figure out how long that’s going to take, get people into the market.”
- Max Christie was overshadowed by the bigger names in the trade, but he could turn out to be a valuable addition, observes Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News, who lists five things that Mavericks fans should know about the 21-year-old shooting guard.
I’m not sure the Mavs feel the same Klay. You’ve been playing just as bad with Dallas as you were last year in GS.
If the Mavs got Reaves and the Lakers 2031 pick while also using it as an opportunity to dump Klay I would at least be able to understand the trade a little bit. In it’s current form it’s baffling.
The trade is fine the problem is not marketing him to every other team. They could’ve got much more than an injured unibrow and late first round pick. I know it’s unlikely they would’ve traded him in the division but the Rockets have been waiting for a superstar and have a lot of assets. OKC also has a treasure trove of assets. Just smells fishy like the league wanted the lakers situation to get better and so this happened. Either that or Nico Harrison is easily the worst GM who has ever worked in pro sports
I think Nico had tunnel vision and it affected his judgement. I say that because his moves up to this point made a lot of sense.
He put too much weight in the wrong things. Notably Luka’s indifference in terms of conditioning and defense while underselling the only reason that team was in the Finals was because of his playoff performances.
Nico Harrison answers to questions after this trade make me think he needs someone to tell him the truth a little more because nothing is making sense, he sounds insane, likely just a terrible GM
That makes the trade not fine then lol
Klay has NOT returned from his injuries as even a “decent rotation piece”. His contract is awful too. He is still an NBA player, but his spot on the rotation falls between 9-15.
They trade Luka over concerns about conditioning and health and the guy they traded him for they don’t even know when he will be ready to play. This is like a parody of running a team poorly.
Adam Silver says hello
Rebuild process in Dallas.
The Cavs are great, but the way they completely steamrolled even a badly shorthanded Mavs team yesterday isn’t a great sign for them. Like, franchise records for their worst quarter and half? Records that have stood for nearly forty years? That’s more than just a bad loss.
This trade was done with the Dallas new majority ownership’s OK, the ownership is not looking at talent they looking at the money aspect of the contract. Luka contract had something to do with it, his health issues only playing on average 65 games a year, they may have looked at the numerous injuries as a reason for his downturn in his numbers, lack of playing defense. The Dallas Mavericks on this trade is betting against Luka ever being the player he once was, they are hoping for a continuous downturn in playing ability.
They acquired a player who is 7 years older, plays even less games, and currently not sure when he’ll actually be able to play. It’s a bad trade for not marketing Luka for the best deal. Mavs get a F- Lakers get one of the best trades of all time
Hopefully Klay will pay off for the Magic. Luka a Laker bucks. I am pulling for OKC and all the small markets. Hopefully Luka will request a trade to Denver.
What’s a Laker bucks ?
April 9th. Mark your calendars. Lakers at Dallas!
Did the Celtics get more for Marcus Smart than the Mavs got for Luka?