The Dallas Mavericks’ blockbuster midseason trade sending Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick shook the NBA—and ignited intense backlash. Fans and analysts criticized the deal, arguing Dallas gave up too much for a 31-year-old big whose health is a concern.
That debate escalated following Sunday’s Desmond Bane trade, where Memphis netted four unprotected first-round picks plus a swap for Bane—highlighting a much richer return than Dallas received for Doncic. The disparity sparked new debates about the authenticity of the trade, with many fans claiming that the Mavericks got fleeced by the Lakers for what they got in return for Doncic.
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77)
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77)
© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Amid these discussions, ESPN insider Shams Charania appeared on the Pat McAfee Show to discuss Sunday’s trade, and also touched on the Doncic-Davis trade.
“You think about Luka Doncic in that Anthony Davis trade," he began. "If you put Anthony Davis on the open market right now he’s fetching you four or five first-round picks right now. So I think it’s about: do you want to trade for the player or do you want to trade for the picks.”
Interestingly, Mavericks fans flooded the comments, urging the front office to trade Davis and recover some draft picks before it’s too late.
“Hmm so that would add up to 6 1sts + Max Christie for Luka. Seems like a pretty reasonable haul,” one fan wrote.
“Let’s do it! Can we make them take Nico, too?” another fan said.
“Do it. Build around Cooper; don’t re-sign Kyrie,” another fan added.
“Exactly, I would trade him NOW,” a fourth fan echoed.
“I’ll happily take 4 first rounders for an over the hill always injured dude,” another fan posted.
“Move him immediately,” another fan urged.