Mavs GM Reveals Luka, AD Trade Convo with Lakers' Pelinka Began More Than a Month Ago

Even though the Luka Dončić-for-Anthony Davis trade seemed to come out of nowhere, Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison said initial discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers started awhile ago.

Speaking to Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News, Harrison explained talks with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka began more than a month ago when they had "basketball" discussions.

"Then all of a sudden we're like, 'Would you ever do this?' Harrison said. "'Nah, you're joking, right?' 'Hmm. Interesting. Maybe I would.'

"And then it just built over time over the last three weeks," he added.

The deal was officially announced on Sunday morning, with the Lakers getting Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris from the Mavs for Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick. The Utah Jazz were involved in the deal, receiving Jalen Hood-Schifino from the Lakers and two second-round draft picks in 2025.

Harrison explained how the contract shaped his thinking on the trade (via Townsend):

"We really feel like we got ahead of what was going to be a tumultuous summer, him being eligible for the supermax and also a year away from him being able to opt out of any contract. And so we really felt like we got out in front of that. We know teams, they've had it out there, teams have been loading up to try to sign him once that comes available."

ESPN's Dave McMenamin noted the Mavericks were the ones who initiated talks with the Lakers, but his report said discussions only "began a few days ago."

It's certainly possible that in-depth discussions about details of the trade really ramped up a few days ago.

According to McMenamin, Harrison and Pelinka have a "long-standing relationship" that dates back years to when Harrison worked as a Nike executive who was assigned to be Kobe Bryant's marketing liaison.

Townsend noted that Harrison had "full support" from Mavs governor Patrick Dumont to make the trade.

Per ESPN's Tim MacMahon, the Mavs' reasoning for the trade stemmed from concerns about Dončić's physical conditioning knowing he would have been eligible to sign a five-year, $345 million supermax extension this summer.

This is one of the biggest gambles a team has ever made in NBA history. Harrison and the Mavericks are essentially betting the conditioning concerns they have about Dončić that have contributed to some of his injuries over the years will become such a problem it renders him not worth the financial investment they would have had to make.

It's hard right now to say that's a good bet to make. Dončić is only 25—he will turn 26 on Feb. 28—and has made the All-NBA first team in each of the past five seasons. Teams don't give away a star of his caliber at this age unless the player asks for a trade, which doesn't seem to be the case in this situation.

The Mavs are currently eighth in the Western Conference with a 26-23 record, despite not having Dončić in the lineup since Christmas Day. They will move forward with Davis, who could return from an abdominal injury as soon as next week, and Kyrie Irving as their top two players for the foreseeable future.