The NBA landscape was rocked earlier this year when Luka Doncic, the face of the Dallas Mavericks, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a stunning three-team deal.
The move sent shockwaves through the basketball community, leaving fans and players alike questioning the decision.
Among those expressing disbelief was Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler, who admitted he thought the news was a hoax upon first hearing it.
In a candid interview with The National, Butler revealed his astonishment at the trade. “I thought it was fake like everybody else,” Butler confessed.
“I just always thought, like when you use the words ‘untradeable,’ ‘untouchable,’ you think Luka Doncic is one of those guys. I was baffled by it. I’m still baffled by it. It just doesn’t look right.”
Butler‘s reaction underscores the magnitude of the trade and the surprise it generated across the league.
Doncic‘s departure from Dallas marked the end of an era, leaving many to wonder about the Mavericks‘ future direction.
The trade that shook the NBA
The trade, finalized in February 2025, was one of the most unexpected moves in recent NBA history.
In exchange for Doncic, the Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round draft pick.
Meanwhile, the Lakers added Doncic to their roster, forming a formidable duo with LeBron James.
The deal was met with widespread criticism from fans and analysts, many of whom questioned the Mavericks‘ decision to part ways with their star player.
Despite the backlash, Dallas General Manager Nico Harrison defended the trade, stating that the team was building for the future and believed the new lineup would be more competitive.
Butler’s perspective from the warriors’ sideline
As a new addition to the Golden State Warriors, Butler brings a fresh perspective to the team.
He acknowledged the challenges the Warriors will face in the upcoming season, especially with the Lakers now featuring Doncic alongside James.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how the dynamics shift,” Butler noted. “But we’re focused on our game and what we can control.”
The Warriors are set to face the Lakers in the season opener on October 21, 2025, marking Butler‘s first official game against his former teammate.
Fans can expect an intense matchup as both teams look to assert their dominance early in the season.
The Doncic trade has undoubtedly altered the NBA’s competitive landscape. Teams like the Warriors are now recalibrating their strategies to contend with the new-look Lakers.
For Butler, the upcoming season presents an opportunity to lead Golden State to new heights while navigating the challenges posed by the league’s shifting power dynamics.
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