When the Mavericks traded Luka Dončić to the Lakers, the basketball world came to a halt.
Not only had there been little to no rumors of a deal happening, but figuring out why Dallas would get rid of a superstar they drafted entering their prime was hard to wrap one’s head around.
Once the Mavericks explained things, it still didn’t make it better. General manager Nico Harrison explained that “defense wins championships,” and there were murmurs about Luka’s lack of good physical conditioning.
This trade
will be discussed for years to come and will undoubtedly be at the center of future tell-all books and documentaries as we move further away from the main event.
Thankfully, we had Netflix recording its “Starting 5” series during the NBA season, and we got a very candid Kevin Durant speaking on the matter in essentially real-time.
His perspective was that Luka getting traded was nothing like him getting moved from Phoenix. Mainly, because Dončić was everything to Dallas, versus Durant, who spent only two seasons with the Suns.
It also made him realize that if your team doesn’t feel like you are all in on winning a ring, they’ll trade you. And whether you think it’s ridiculous or not to think Luka isn’t serious about getting an NBA title, clearly, people inside the Mavs organization had doubts, and they traded him because of it.
It’s interesting hearing Durant speak on chasing rings as a positive. He mentions it as something teams are obsessed with. While that’s typically a negative term assigned to players.
The Lakers are clearly a ring-chasing organization. Their motto this year is “obsession,” and the “I” and “O” in the word have been morphed into the No. 18 on their shirts, which is the number of NBA titles the Lakers will have when they win their next one.
The shock of this trade will never go away, but the lessons will remain. In the end, even as NBA players are as powerful as ever, the organization is king. And talent, without titles, will only get you so far.
Luka got traded in his prime. Trae Young will enter the final year of his deal, as the Hawks have still not agreed to a contract extension. And it won’t be long before we hear about trade rumblings regarding other young stars who have yet to win it all with their original franchises.
Staying with one team like Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki is the exception, not the rule. Too many players think they are those exceptions, and when they realize they aren’t, it’s too late.
Durant knows the business and has seen it all when it comes to trades. And Luka getting dealt was a reminder that none of your accomplishments and commitment to a city mean a thing if you don’t win a ring.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
