Report: Mavs Called Lakers About Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis Trade 'a Few Days Ago'

The Dallas Mavericks started the conversations with the Los Angeles Lakers that resulted in Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis swapping teams, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Charania reported Mavs general manager Nico Harrison reached out to Lakers GM Rob Pelinka "a few days ago" to offer up Dončić. Los Angeles "had to huddle internally" because the organization had never seriously considered moving Davis.

Harrison and Pelinka deserve to have a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame for the way in which they negotiated this trade. It's incredible that a deal of this magnitude not only developed so quickly but also flew completely under the radar.

Nobody sensed Davis or Dončić was a possible trade candidate, let alone that they'd be traded for one another.

It's clear Dallas coveted Davis over any other target.

In February 2023, Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd reported the Mavs could be a dark horse to land the nine-time All-Star, whose relationship with LeBron James had been the source of speculation at the time. Harrison's interest in Davis isn't new.

But it's worth wondering whether the Mavericks sacrificed value in the name of secrecy.

Dallas acquired a star whose ideal position is center when it already had Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. Davis is a somewhat odd fit from that standpoint.

The Mavs didn't manage to get all of the Lakers' draft assets, either. They could've gotten a 2031 first-rounder from L.A. in addition to some pick swaps.

Things would've gotten a little messy in Dallas if it got out that Harrison was openly shopping Dončić around. Still, the trade deadline is only a few days away. Surely creating some tension within the locker room would've been acceptable if it meant soliciting the best return possible.

Instead, many will likely feel Harrison rushed to reach a resolution.