It was initially reported that the Los Angeles Lakers were the only team the Dallas Mavericks had contacted when attempting to trade their 25 year old superstar, Luka Doncic.
There was something fishy about that, especially considering the lopsided nature of the trade, essentially swapping the oft injured 32-year-old Athony Davis for a still coming-into-his-own Doncic.
Mavericks Sought Top NBA Star Power Before Contacting Los Angeles Lakers
Now more details are bubbling to the surface that details two trades the Mavs attempted and failed to secure. According to NBA insider Gery Woelfel, the Mavericks were looking to trade with at least two teams, the Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves.
“According two NBA officials, the Mavs had interactions with at least two other teams besides the Lakers. They claimed the Mavs also had conversations with the Bucks and Timberwolves. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out which players from those teams would have piqued the Mavs’ interest. With the Bucks, it was Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP who led the Bucks to the NBA title in 2021. Antetokounmpo happens to have a strong rapport with Mavs coach Jason Kidd and his right-hand man, Sean Sweeney.”
“As for the Timberwolves, it’s only logical that any potential deal between the Mavs and Timberwolves would have included Anthony Edwards, their ascending 23-year-old superstar.”
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While either of these trades would have been insane, they would have been seen as a more commensurate swap rather than what the Mavericks settled for.
This contradicts Nico Harrison’s own statement on the matter, when he said the LA Lakers were they only team he talked to.