Mega-trade involving star Luka Doncic shakes NBA, Mavericks deal with fallout

• The blockbuster trade that sent star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers shook the NBA. The Dallas Mavericks are dealing with the fallout, including unhappy fans.
• Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison explained why he made the deal.
• Meanwhile, other NBA teams are making deals before Thursday’s trade deadline.

The fallout continues from one of the biggest trades in NBA history. Fans, media members, players and executives around the sports world are still trying to process the Dallas Mavericks’ decision to trade superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. In the trade, the Mavericks got fellow NBA All-Star Anthony Davis.

In explaining the deal, Dallas General Manager Nico Harrison wanted a roster that plays better defense.

“We think defense wins championships, and we’re bringing in one of the best two-way players in the league,” Harrison said. “A lot of people don’t talk about, you know, what [Davis] does defensively and offensively. But you know, if you guys can name first-team all-NBA players that are also first-team all-defensive players, that’s a unique unicorn to try to find.”

Mavericks fans were largely unconvinced by the explanation. Over the weekend, they protested outside American Airlines Center, spray-painting graffiti on the sidewalk and holding a mock funeral for Doncic and the team.

Harrison was all too aware of the reaction.

“I’m sorry they’re frustrated, but it’s something that we believe in as an organization that’s going to make us better,” Harrison said. “We believe that it sets us up to win not only now but also in the future. And when we win, I believe the frustration will go away.”

The trade may have started the dominoes falling around the league. Less than 24 hours after the Doncic deal, another blockbuster trade went down.

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox is on his way to the San Antonio Spurs for Chicago Bulls wing Zach LaVine. The Bulls received some backup players and draft picks as the third team involved in the trade.

Fox will now team up with superstar Victor Wembanyama as they try to quickly improve their chances of making a playoff run. In return, the Kings will pair LaVine with forward Domantas Sabonis and shooting guard DeMar DeRozan to stay in the playoff hunt.

The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, Feb. 6, and no one can predict what’s coming next. That is especially true considering the massive deal everyone has been expecting involving Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has yet to materialize.