NBA Exec Calls Out Mavs for Luka Dončić, Lakers Trade: 'The Return Sucks'

The Dallas Mavericks' return package from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for superstar Luka Dončić hasn't exactly been met with unanimous approval.

"The return sucks," a Western Conference team executive told The Ringer's Howard Beck. "Your job is to get the best return."

That apparently has been a common sentiment. ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Tim MacMahon reported rival executives were "furious and jealous" that the Lakers were the only team involved in talks.

One exec called the decision "unfathomable," while another said, "I'm stunned."

The Mavericks surprisingly dealt Dončić to the Lakers over the weekend as part of a three-team trade that also included the Utah Jazz. Dallas came away from the swap with Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick from Los Angeles.

While the Mavericks likely would have received more draft compensation if they decided to start a bidding war for Dončić, general manager Nico Harrison explained that he only spoke with the Lakers before finalizing the trade. That was due to Harrison's desire to add a defensive-minded big such as Davis, who finished fourth in 2023-24 Defensive Player of the Year voting.

"I believe that defense wins championships," Harrison said, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We're built to win now and in the future."

While Davis has established himself as one of the league's top two-way players, Dončić had become the face of a Mavericks team that was coming off a 2024 NBA Finals appearance to go along with a third-place MVP finish.

The 25-year-old was off to another strong start to begin his 2024-25 campaign despite dealing with a calf injury, averaging 28.1 points and 8.3 rebounds to go along with 7.8 assists per game.

Now, the Mavericks will be attempting to make it out of the Western Conference for a second consecutive year led by Davis and Kyrie Irving. While the pair represent an intriguing duo, there's belief that Dallas could have received much more for Dončić.