Lakers Rumors: Knecht, 1st-Round Picks in Original Luka, Anthony Davis Trade Package

The Dallas Mavericks reportedly had a chance at a bigger return package from the Los Angeles Lakers than the one they got for star Luka Dončić.

On The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Ringer's Kirk Goldsberry reported that Los Angeles rookie Dalton Knecht and multiple first-round picks were initially potentially part of the deal along with Anthony Davis.

The trade ultimately included just Davis, Max Christie and the Lakers' 2029 first-round pick.

"The deal got whittled down because I think Rob Pelinka was able to convince the Mavs that Luka is a lot of risk," Goldsberry said.

Including Knecht and other first-rounders in the deal to Dallas would have made the trade still surprising but a bit more understandable.

Fred Katz, Joe Vardon and Sam Amick of The Athletic provided additional breakdown of why the Lakers held off on giving the second 1st-round pick:

"The Lakers' logic, according to league sources, was that parting with both of their first-rounders would be too perilous. Dončić's contract can expire in 2026 when they couldn't know his interest in re-signing. And they had no chance to find out before pulling off an exchange that shook the NBA.

"So without the ability to gauge Dončić's appetite to remain in L.A. long term, the Lakers expressed they couldn't go all the way in for him, league sources said. And the Mavericks acquiesced, eventually agreeing to deal Dončić, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris for Davis, Christie and one first-rounder. For salary-cap reasons, the Jazz also took on Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks."

Knecht has had a strong rookie year, putting up 9.3 points on 35.5 percent from deep. The No. 17 pick in the draft out of Tennessee has displayed his scoring ability a few times this year, one such instance being a 37-point outing against the Utah Jazz in November.

Having more future first-rounders also would have helped set Dallas up for when Davis, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson move on or retire.

Instead, the Mavericks walked away with a shockingly light haul, and the former face of their franchise is now with the Lake Show.

Ultimately, Dallas believed that moving on from Dončić puts them in the best place to win a championship now.

"I believe that defense wins championships," general manager Nico Harris 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."

The Mavericks got an outstanding player in Davis in the trade. He's putting up 25.7 points and 11.9 rebounds per game and is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate year in and year out.

Still, it's going to take a while for the NBA world to understand how the Lakers landed one of the best players in the league for a relatively low price.