In February 2025, the NBA witnessed a trade that sent shockwaves through the basketball world: Luka Doncic, the cornerstone of the Dallas Mavericks, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.
While the trade was officially justified by the Mavericks‘ desire to bolster their defense, behind the scenes, personal relationships played a significant role in the deal’s execution.
In a segment on The Old Man and The Three, Ryen Russillo of The Ringer painted the trade with a tint of drama often reserved for spy thrillers.
“It almost felt like a scam,” he said of how Lakers GM Rob Pelinka allegedly lured Dallas GM Nico Harrison into approving the deal over a casual cup of coffee.
“He somehow convinced Nico Harrison to greenlight the trade … with their shared history through Kobe Bryant playing a big role.”
He added that it was “the worst trade in the history of the league.”
A shared history between GMs
The longstanding friendship between Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka and Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison laid the foundation of the trade.
Their relationship dates back to the early 2000s when Harrison worked as Kobe Bryant‘s marketing manager at Nike, and Pelinka served as Bryant’s agent.
This shared history and mutual respect created a level of trust that facilitated the complex negotiations.
Pelinka acknowledged the importance of their relationship in the trade discussions, stating,
“Because there was a partnership and a history of traveling the world between Nico and myself, working around Kobe Bryant, there was a fabric of trust in the discussions.” This trust was crucial in navigating the intricacies of the trade, which involved multiple teams and players.
The trade details
The deal, finalized on February 2, 2025, was a three-team trade that sent Doni, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, to the Lakers.
In return, the Mavericks acquired Davis, guard Max Christie, and a future first-round draft pick. The Utah Jazz facilitated the trade by taking on Jalen Hood-Schifino’s contract and receiving two second-round picks.
The Mavericks’ decision to trade Doncic was influenced by concerns over his conditioning and work ethic.
Harrison emphasized the importance of defense and believed that acquiring Davis, known for his defensive prowess, would better position the team for future success.
However, the trade was met with significant backlash from Mavericks fans, leading to protests and calls for Harrison’s dismissal.
The aftermath
Despite the criticism, Harrison defended the trade, stating, “I believe that defense wins championships.”
He reiterated his commitment to building a team that prioritizes defense and long-term success.
The Lakers, on the other hand, welcomed Doncic with open arms, and he quickly became a central figure in their lineup.
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