Since the trade of Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis on February 2, the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers have had very different seasons. The Mavericks are already out of contention, largely due to injuries, after reaching last year’s Finals against the champion Boston Celtics. The Lakers are coming off a Game 1 loss in the first round of the playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that Luka Doncic will be looking to eliminate for the second year in a row after eliminating them in the Western Conference Finals last year while wearing the Dallas uniform. While the Lakers are still capable of great things, the Mavericks held their press conference today to end a season that will be remembered by their fans as one of the worst in franchise history, not for the results, but for losing a figure of Doncic’s magnitude.
Mavericks’ Season Ends After Doncic Trade
Of course, General Manager Nico Harrison had to be at the press conference, and of course he had to be asked about the decision to trade Doncic. Harrison surprised everyone in the room with his response to the trade, saying, “I knew Luka was important to the fan base. I just didn’t know to what level.” Who did he think was the most important and appealing player on the team? The one who filled the arena and created excitement among the youngest fans? Undoubtedly a terrible answer that won’t help Dallas fans like him any more.
Luka averaged an impressive 28.6 points, 8.3 assists and 8.7 rebounds during his tenure with the Mavericks, as well as a historic stat line as the only player ever to reach 10,000 points, 3,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists, five First-Team All-NBA selections and five playoff series victories in his first six seasons.
Luka’s years in Dallas were nothing short of spectacular, earning Rookie of the Year honors, five All-NBA First Team selections, the 2023-24 scoring title and leading the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season. He also owns the top three scoring outbursts in franchise history, highlighted by a stunning 73-point night against Atlanta – the fourth-highest single-game total in league annals. Luka is a one-in-a-million type of player, and even AD’s amazing skills can’t match Luka’s ceiling. Without a doubt, the best thing for Dallas fans is that the Lakers don’t win the championship.
Harrison went on to say that he planned to have Kyrie, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, AD, and Lively on the floor, which is a spectacular quintet, but to see it in full will have to wait until next season. This team, if you add a superstar in free agency… cough cough Kevin Durant, could undoubtedly compete in the West against any team, but as they say, the best skill is availability, and well, this quintet mentioned by Nico Harrison is popular for suffering from injuries.
Lakers Fight for Title with Doncic in Playoffs
But while the Mavericks are planning their vacations and will have to wait several months before playing again next season, the Lakers continue their quest to win their 18th title and tie the Celtics for the most championships. Before that, they have to come out much better in Game 2 against the Timberwolves after losing Game 1 117-95. Fortunately, “Game 2 Luka” is a real thing, and the Lakers won’t want to travel to Minnesota with a two-game deficit. In Game 2s of the playoffs in his career, Luka averages 33.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.6 assists, and has a 6-3 record, but is undefeated in the first round, so if you’re looking for an attractive bet for tomorrow, trust Luka.
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