The Dallas Mavericks moved on from their 25-year-old superstar, Luka Dončić, in his prime, creating questions about whether Dallas general manager Nico Harrison could have gotten a better trade return for his franchise’s centerpiece.
It turns out another NBA team had a chance to acquire Dončić before he was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers, but they rejected the Mavericks’ inquiries.
Nico Harrison Offered Luka Dončić-Giannis Antetokounmpo Swap to Bucks’ Front Office
Clutchpoints reporter Kris Pursiainen reports that the Mavericks front office approached the Milwaukee Bucks with an offer to trade Dončić for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
According to the report, Harrison pursued Anthony Davis from the Lakers only after Milwaukee’s front office rebuffed this initial offer.
The Dallas Mavericks contacted the Milwaukee Bucks about a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo before starting serious discussions with the Lakers about a deal involving swapping Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić, per league sources familiar with the situation. pic.twitter.com/dYRGRNONnp
— Kris Pursiainen (@krispursiainen) February 3, 2025
During Harrison’s post-trade press conference, the Mavs GM said that he only had conversations with the Lakers, but Pursiainen insists this is about optics.
“Nico Harrison publicly stated yesterday that there were no conversations with other teams. My read on the situation is that Harrison is aware that there is going to be vitriol regardless, and informing the world that the return for Dončić wasn’t his top choice served little purpose,” Pursiainen wrote.
Nico Harrison publicly stated yesterday that there were no conversations with other teams. My read on the situation is that Harrison is aware that there is going to be vitriol regardless & informing the world that the return for Dončić wasn’t his top choice served little purpose.
— Kris Pursiainen (@krispursiainen) February 3, 2025
This lines up with initial reporting from Sam Amick of The Athletic, who indicated that the Mavericks’ front office indeed approached another team.
This lends veracity to Pursiainen’s claims and proves that the Mavericks acted in secret — much like Milwaukee’s pursuit of Damian Lillard in 2023.
CRAZY: Mavericks “approached at least one other team” but they declined to take Luka Doncic
Who was the mystery team 😳
(Via @sam_amick) pic.twitter.com/g1FIG9zGEH
— CourtSideHeat (@courtsideheat) February 2, 2025
The Dončić trade will go down as arguably the craziest deal in pro sports history. It’s unheard of for a player once thought to be untouchable, who’s more accomplished than virtually any other 25-year-old, to be traded against his wishes to the most popular franchise in the NBA. The fact that Harrison spoke to so few teams about Dončić makes this situation even weirder.
Dončić was blindsided by the move, just like NBA teams and fans. It remains to be seen if more shocking details about this situation will emerge in the coming days. It certainly seems like someone forced Harrison’s hand or that there was some behind-the-scenes drama that influenced this move.
This trade shifted the landscape of the league, so the NBA world is understandably stunned.
