Golden State Warriors’ Jimmy Butler did not buy the Luka Doncic trade to the Los Angeles Lakers when the trade first broke last season.
Warriors’ Jimmy Butler: Luka Doncic trade was fake
Fadeaway World’s Chaitanya Dadhwal reported on a soundbite that Butler shared on social media about his initial reaction to the Doncic deal:
“I thought it was fake like everybody else. So did you. I don’t even have to ask. You know what I mean? It was like this guy got hacked or something. I just thought when you used the word ‘untradeable,’ ‘untouchable,’ you’d think Luka Doncic is one of those guys, honestly,” Butler sounded off.
NBA: Miami Heat at Dallas Mavericks
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Doncic — one of the consensus five-best players in the league — was traded to the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks before last season’s trade deadline. Though he was moved for then-Lakers elite center Anthony Davis, the deal still created shockwaves.
Doncic had led Dallas to the Finals in the season before the deal. The Slovenian former All-Star also notched three top-five finishes in the MVP race while with the Mavericks.
Butler had reason to be wowed by Doncic deal
As a result of that, Butler had reason to react in that fashion. Davis’ talent has been undeniable over the course of his career. He’s been considered arguably the best pure talent in the league for the better part of the last 10 years.
Nevertheless, the three-time NBA blocks leader has been sidelined with injuries on nearly a yearly basis. Davis got hurt in his first Mavericks game with an adductor strain.
Jimmy Butler, NBA: Playoffs-Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves
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That infirmity proved that his health weighs down his value to the point where the trade became a real head-scratcher. Butler, who has had his share of battles against both players — most notably against Davis in the 2020 Finals, would know better than most about both players to make such a statement, coupled with what was thought to be Dallas owner Mark Cuban’s undying affinity for Doncic.
No matter, Butler will gear up to face both Doncic’s Lakers as well as Davis’ Mavericks with much more regularity in his first full season in the West. That will give the Warriors’ No. 2 option a great seat to see how both players impact their franchises after the deal, with enough of a sample size to judge from.