The surprising Luka Doncic transfer to Lakers It was undoubtedly one of the most important in the NBA in the last decade. The Mavericks, unexpectedly, detached themselves from Slovenianone of the best players in the league, sending it to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a future first round selection in an operation that shocked the world of basketball.
Luka Doncic, defended by Josh Giddey in a Lakers-Bulls this season.
Negotiations between Mavs and Lakersas the transfer were then official after formalizing, they took at all secret in the weeks prior to the exchange in February. Not even LeBron James or Anthony Davis, implied directly, were aware What was being cooked. But the Lakers They were not the only team interested in taking Slovenian crack.
The bulls, willing to mortgage their future for Luka
Has come to light Superooferta that another NBA team, the bullsthey were willing to make the mavericks to try to get Luka Doncic. “A source told the Sun-Times that Arturas Karnisovas (former Barcelona player and executive vice president of Chicago) And their management would have offered any of the players in their staff If the Mavericks had notified that Doncic was available in February, “said the journalist Joe Cowleyof the Chicago Sun-Times
A source told Sun-Times that Arturas Karnovas (former Barcelona player and Chicago Executive Vice President) and their management would have offered any of their workforce if the MAVs had notified them that Doncic was available in February
The bulls have been looking for a superstar, and Luka Doncic would have been the perfect choice. As a young and promising player with an eagerness for tireless victory, his arrival He could have marked a new era for the bulls and his return to the foreground of the league after years of mediocrity. Unfortunately for them, the MAVs were clear that Anthony Davis It was his priority objective to reinforce his workforce and did not explore more roads.
Luka Doncic, excited the day Dallas honored him on his visit with the Lakers.
Despite having taken them to the finals of the NBA in 2024, The MAVs turned against Doncic. Its leaders lost faith in their leadership and their commitment to basketball. And its general manager Nico Harrison He already had in mind the one he considered the ideal operation for his team with the arrival of Anthony Davis (32 years old), Max Christie and a future first round selection.
A historic exchange package
Now it has transpired that The bulls were willing to “offer anything” and included a mortgage the future of its franchise in order to build a new project around the Slovenian player, who would have put them again on the NBA map. They were ready to yield to their best assets to form a historical potential package that had included Coby White, Matas Buzelis, Patrick Williams, Lonzo Ball, four first round teams and three selections of selections.
Lonzo Ball, one of the players that the bulls had included in the exchange for Doncic.
The agreement would have contributed depth to the template and restored the capital of Draft of the Mavericks and the Bulls could have started from scratch with a new face and an identity for the future. But Nico Harrison It was very clear that the agreement that in his opinion was more beneficial for his franchise and He didn't even put Doncic in the showcase to start an auction that would have been crazy. Unfortunately of the Bulls, who continue to regret that lost opportunity.
