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NBA Executives 'Legitimately Shocked' by Lakers' Luka Doncic Trade

League decisionmakers were just as flabbergasted by the trade as everyone else.

Alex Kirschenbaum

Feb 26, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA: Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) tries to knock the ball away from Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during the first quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Feb 26, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA: Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) tries to knock the ball away from Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during the first quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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In perhaps the most one-sided trade since they acquired the draft rights to Kobe Bryant from the Charlotte Hornets, the Los Angeles Lakers brought in All-NBA First Team superstar ex-Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, a 25-year-old in his prime, for 31-year-old All-Star former Lakers center Anthony Davis during a blockbuster three-team exchange Saturday night.

Fans and pundits alike were stunned by the news. Apparently, it also rocked opposing front offices, many of whom were not aware Doncic was even available to be dealt.

NBA insider Zach Lowe shared the content of some reaction texts he received from other teams' executives regarding the deal.

That sounds about right.

Lowe, who was let go by ESPN prior to this season but is still drawing a salary, joked about the level of engagement he has received from executives about the deal even while taking a break from the NBA beat.

Read More: Lakers' Rob Pelinka Reportedly Called LeBron James Immediately Following Anthony Davis Trade

According Christian Clark of The Athletic, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison only reached out to Los Angeles to make a deal. He had apparently long valued Davis, an All-Defensive First Teamer with a lengthy injury history and pretty significant postseason and Olympic mileage who's now effectively at the tail end of his prime.

Still, it's stunning that his return for one of the league's best three or four players was Davis — a star big man, yes, but not someone at the talent level of Doncic — and one first round pick, in 2029. The Lakers and Mavericks did send out future second round picks in the deal to the Utah Jazz, for some reason.

Even assuming no other team was in play for Doncic's services, any executive worth his salt would have likely tried to, at the very least, extract first round pick swaps, L.A.'s 2031 future first in addition to the 2029 first, and any available Lakers second rounders.

Read More: LeBron James Will Reportedly Stay with Lakers Despite Trade Rumors Following Luka Doncic Deal

Doncic is hurt, and it appears his health and fitness played a major factor in Harrison's thinking. Still, Davis is injury-prone and, again, six years older.

Though many league executives were apparently surprised by the move, a well-placed source did tell NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson that a Doncic-to-Los Angeles trade was "not impossible" ahead of the 2024-25 season.

In 22 games this year, Doncic has been averaging 28.1 points while slashing .464/.354/.767, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists.

Read More:

Lakers Reportedly Didn't Communicate Anthony Davis Trade with LeBron James Beforehand

Luka Doncic Reportedly Didn't Ask Out of Dallas Before Trade to Lakers

For the latest Los Angeles Lakers news and notes, stay glued to Lakers On SI.

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Alex Kirschenbaum
ALEX KIRSCHENBAUM

Basketball is Alex's favorite sport, he likes the way they dribble up and down the court.

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