The Los Angeles Lakers’ blockbuster acquisition of Luka Doncic sent shockwaves across the NBA, not just because of the sheer magnitude of the player involved, but because of how easy it seemed.
According to NBA insider Jake Weinbach, multiple league executives believe the Lakers were handed a “gift” by the Dallas Mavericks when they traded for Doncic, and now, other teams around the league are prepared to make them pay for it.
The sentiment is growing among front offices: the Lakers didn’t deserve to land a 26-year-old generational superstar like Luka, especially given their lack of assets.
And yet, they pulled it off, swapping Anthony Davis for Doncic in a deal that didn’t even strip them of their limited draft capital. It was seen as a shocking coup, considering the Lakers had little leverage, minimal flexibility, and no clear long-term star plan with LeBron James turning 40 and Davis battling constant injury concerns.
Before the trade, Los Angeles was clinging to playoff hopes. Their defense was slowly coming together, their chemistry was improving, and there were signs they could go on a run but with LeBron aging and Davis’ body unreliably fragile, the championship window felt like it was closing fast.
Austin Reaves was their best young asset, but he wasn't bringing back a superstar in any deal.
Then the Luka Doncic trade happened.
Suddenly, the Lakers had a generational offensive engine who’s not only one of the top five players in the league but someone who hasn’t even reached his true prime. He’s 26, has already made multiple All-NBA First Teams, led a Finals run, and carried a franchise for years.
And now, he’s in purple and gold, ready to headline the post-LeBron era in Hollywood.
What’s left teams around the league furious isn’t just the result, it’s the process. Sources suggest that Dallas never seriously shopped Luka to other teams. There was no bidding war. No multi-team auction. No leveraging of suitors.
They quietly agreed to a deal with the Lakers, sending Davis to Dallas and receiving far less than what most teams would have given up for a player of Doncic’s caliber. The sense across the league is clear: the Mavericks could have done so much better.
This, of course, fits a familiar narrative around the Lakers, one that stings other teams who’ve toiled for years trying to land a superstar. Magic Johnson was handed to them with the No. 1 pick while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was already on the roster.
Kobe Bryant was acquired from the Hornets in a lopsided draft-day deal. Shaquille O'Neal chose the Lakers in free agency. LeBron did the same.
And now, Luka.
But this time, executives are pushing back. The perception of the Doncic deal as a "gift" has left many teams vowing to drive a harder bargain. If the Lakers come calling for role players or stars this offseason, they may have to overpay.
The league isn’t looking to hand the Lakers another golden ticket, not after they just got one without even asking.
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