• Wed. Feb 19th, 2025

Herschel Walker Trade In Reverse As Mavs Swap Luka To Lakers

ByAyange Joshua

Feb 2, 2025 #Herschel

Mavs Pull a Reverse Herschel Walker Trade, Sending Luka to Lakers

By Mike Fisher, Athlon Sports

DALLAS – This move stands among the most significant trades in Dallas sports history—right up there with the Cowboys’ blockbuster Herschel Walker deal in 1989.

And you know what? It might also rival that trade in terms of how fans perceive its absurdity.

On Saturday night, the Dallas Mavericks stunned the basketball world by orchestrating a three-team deal that ships franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. And, unsurprisingly, the Mavericks are facing heavy backlash.

In the trade, Dallas parted ways with Doncic, longtime big man Maxi Kleber, veteran Markieff Morris, and a second-round pick. In return, they acquired superstar Anthony Davis, promising young wing Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round selection from the Lakers.

Doncic, who has spent all seven years of his NBA career with the Mavericks, has become a statistical outlier in league history. His career averages of 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game even surpass those of his new teammate, LeBron James, widely considered the greatest player of all time.

This isn’t the first time the Mavericks have moved on from a young star. In 2004, they chose not to re-sign Steve Nash, who went on to win two MVP awards with the Phoenix Suns.

Nor is this the first major blockbuster trade for a Dallas sports team. The Cowboys’ 1989 Walker trade with Minnesota was so impactful that it laid the foundation for three Super Bowl championships in the ’90s.

But what is this trade meant to achieve?

Yeah, this feels like “Herschel 2.0″—except in reverse.

Dallas fans are already voicing their outrage.

One long-time Mavs supporter wrote: “Disgusting. Insane. I’m done being a fan.”

Another vented: “Luka carried this team to the Finals last year, and they trade him? Absolutely trash. The Mavs are embarrassing.”

For Dallas, acquiring Davis theoretically keeps them competitive, with Kyrie Irving expected to shoulder most of the offensive load. Christie is a young wing with starting potential, and the 2029 draft pick could prove valuable—especially if Doncic doesn’t extend his stay in Los Angeles.

Doncic was widely regarded as one of the few “untouchable” players in the league. Yet, that belief proved incorrect as Dallas dealt away a 25-year-old who already ranks as the franchise’s all-time leader in several categories, including triple-doubles and points per game.

 

So, what’s the Mavericks’ reasoning behind this move?

According to ESPN: “The Mavs, meanwhile, had major concerns about continuing with Doncic due to his ongoing conditioning struggles and the looming commitment of another supermax contract extension this summer.”

Fair enough, but in exchange for Doncic and his so-called “conditioning issues,” Dallas brought in Davis—a player who has played more than 60 games in a season only twice in the last seven years.

It seems the Mavericks weren’t willing to commit supermax money to a superstar with flaws.

 

But it also seems Dallas fans aren’t buying that explanation. Not at all.

 

 

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