Far from a spectacular yield

New Mavericks guard Max Christie (left) and a 2029 firstround draft pick were 

included in the package for Luka Doncic. - LM Otero/the Associated Press

MIKE CURTIS

4 Feb 2025 - The Dallas Morning News

One overriding question about Doncic trade is why wasn’t return bigger

PHILADELPHIA — History shows there’s a cost to acquiring NBA superstars in blockbuster trades.

The Mavericks received All-star Anthony Davis (left) in return for Luka Doncic in Saturday’s trade, but not much else for a player most consider to be one of the five best in the world, and not yet 26-years-old.

When the Mavericks sent franchise centerpiece Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers late Saturday in a megadeal that returned 10-time All-star forward Anthony Davis, there were obvious questions of the bold decision. Now that some of the dust has settled, most around the NBA are starting to ponder why general manager Nico Harrison didn’t receive more assets in a deal of that magnitude.

Davis will join the Mavericks — his third NBA team — alongside thirdyear guard Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round draft pick.

That package is widely considered as a light haul for a generational talent such as Doncic, who has five consecutive ALL-NBA First Team selections and holds the third-highest career scoring average in league history.

Teams that wish to acquire franchise-altering superstars usually have to sacrifice more draft capital than a single future first-round pick. Draft compensation has become increasingly significant in recent years because of the new CBA that imposes significant ramifications for going above the luxury tax, including restrictions on trades.Mark J. Terrill/the Associated PressNew Mavericks guard Max Christie (left) and a 2029 firstround draft pick were included in the package for Luka Doncic.

Look no further than the 2023 NBA trade deadline, when the Brooklyn Nets traded 34-year-old Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns in the middle of the night. Mat Ishbia’s first major deal as owner of the Suns cost him four first-rounders, a 2028 first-round pick swap and two key role players: Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson.

When Bridges was traded to the Knicks, Brooklyn received a massive package that included Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks, an unprotected pick swap in 2028, a top-four protected 2025 firstround pick and a 2025 secondround pick.

The Portland Trail Blazers ended their longstanding relationship with franchise point guard Damian Lillard by trading him to the Milwaukee Bucks for an unprotected firstround pick, multiple firstround pick swaps and All-star guard Jrue Holiday.

Nearly three years ago, the Utah Jazz unloaded Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in separate trades. General manager Danny Ainge received a combined seven future firstround picks for their two stars. The haul for Gobert included Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, four-first-round picks and a 2026 pick swap.

Could the Mavericks have gotten more from the Lakers? It’s possible.

The Lakers had only one other tradeable first-round pick (2029), but there are a couple of forwards that would’ve fit well in Dallas. Before the Mavericks flipped Doncic for Davis, there was a significant need to bolster the roster with a defensive wing.

Los Angeles' Rui Hachimura and rookie forward Dalton Knecht could’ve served as pieces to supplement a package headlined by Davis, but matching salary can make trades more complicated. Dallas also sent Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Lakers.

Christie, a third-year guard, averaged 8.5 points and 2.7 rebounds in 46 games this season, which included 25 starts with the Lakers. His 3-point percentage (36.8%) ranked fifth on the team behind former Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-smith, Hachimura, Lebron James and Austin Reaves. He was initially listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game in Philadelphia, but was upgraded to active.

“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 and we’re able to find that,” Harrison said. “You look at Max Christie, he was their starting two guard, guarded all the top players in the league.”

Harrison is in his fourth season as general manager of the Mavericks after spending 19 years at Nike, where he most recently held the title of Vice President of North America Sports Marketing. He’s had recent success in deadline trades, including acquiring Irving in 2023, and P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford last season.

Is this big swing the first sign of inexperience as a front office executive? It appears that he’s willing to accept any criticism that comes his way.

“You got to get judged on the performance that you’ve done as a leader,” Harrison said. “And at some point, if it doesn’t work out, then I’ ll be judged for that.”

Harrison’s motivations for the trade centered around Davis' dominant two-way abilities, specifically his prowess on the defensive end. Christie was a regular in the team’s starting lineup. That experience could bode well in a role as a reserve with the Mavericks.

“So we really feel that they’re adding into the culture that we’re trying to create here,” Harrison said. “We feel that defense wins championships and we’re excited to go. We feel like we’re built to win now as well as in the future.”

Nearly seven years ago, the Mavericks acquired Doncic in a draft night trade with the Atlanta Hawks for the rights to Trae Young and a future firstround pick. In hindsight, that could be considered a light haul because of the dynamic player Doncic has developed into. He was pitted as the team’s future star who would one day lead the Mavericks back to a championship.

Now, a new era begins as Davis joins former Team USA teammates Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson as the Mavericks try to return to the NBA Finals without Doncic.