Mavericks’ Heated Rival Proves the Luka Doncic Trade Was a Massive Blunder
Dallas is still reeling from the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the frustration surrounding this move continues to surface in unexpected ways.
Although chants of “fire Nico” directed at Mavericks GM Nico Harrison have been rare during home games since the trade, they have been heard elsewhere. Recently, these chants broke out at a Dallas Stars game, an FC Dallas match, and even at Medieval Times. The widespread outrage in Dallas only reinforces the belief that this trade should never have happened.
The Mavericks moved on from Doncic due to concerns about his conditioning and off-court habits, such as drinking beer and smoking hookah, among other factors. However, none of these were valid enough reasons to part ways with a generational talent. The decision was rash, and fans may never fully accept it. There are countless reasons why Dallas should have held onto Doncic.
History Shows Mavericks’ Concerns Were Overblown—Just Ask Harden
To see how misguided the trade was, Mavericks fans only need to look at James Harden. Throughout his career, Harden has faced similar weight and off-court concerns, yet at 35, he remains a key force in leading the LA Clippers to the playoffs each year. He even won an MVP with the Houston Rockets, proving how shortsighted the Mavericks’ decision to trade Doncic may turn out to be—both now and in the long run.
As a longtime Mavericks rival, Harden has played against Dallas for years—first with the Rockets and now with the Clippers, following stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers. He serves as a prime example of why trading Doncic was a mistake. Dallas and Harden have had fierce battles over the years, yet nothing has prevented him from thriving in the league.
From the beginning, Doncic and Harden have been compared due to their ball-dominant offensive styles and defensive criticisms. Harden has since shown that concerns over his weight and off-court habits were overblown, proving that he can perform at a high level regardless of external noise.
Now in his 16th season, Harden remains a top option on a playoff contender, and his past image is no longer relevant. Doncic is likely to follow a similar trajectory, as his conditioning and off-court habits did not stop him from leading Dallas to the NBA Finals last season.
The Trade Crippled the Mavericks While the Lakers Thrive
Doncic and the Lakers are in a much better position than the Mavericks, as Los Angeles holds the No. 3 seed in the West while Dallas is struggling at No. 10 with a 33-33 record. The two teams are in completely different situations, and trading Doncic has weakened the Mavericks both now and in the future.
Doncic is proving to Dallas that concerns about his conditioning are a thing of the past, and he is determined to move forward. While he hasn’t been overwhelmingly explosive in Los Angeles, he took the Mavericks’ rumored comments about his fitness personally, working hard during the All-Star break while vacationing in Mexico. Former Maverick Quentin Grimes even defended Doncic, emphasizing that he consistently worked on his game late at night.
Like Harden, Doncic’s legacy will not be shaped by off-court narratives. He is on track to become an all-time great, completely disproving the Mavericks’ misjudgment of him. His legacy will be defined by his on-court excellence, while Dallas may never escape the criticism for letting him go.