Dwyane Wade gives revealing insight into Luka Doncic trade.
Dwyane Wade’s comments on the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers caught many by surprise, especially considering his three-time NBA champion status.
The Lakers and Dallas Mavericks made waves Saturday when news broke that Doncic and Anthony Davis were swapping teams. While most focused on the trade from an emotional or basketball viewpoint, Wade approached it from a business angle.
Speaking candidly on his “The Why” podcast, Wade emphasized how the entire league stands to gain from the deal. He suggested that the NBA’s wealthy owners came together to make the “smart business move” of sending Luka to the Lakers, the league’s top team in terms of popularity.
“Before all the reports came out, I thought, ‘No players were involved in this decision,'” Wade said, as reported by ClutchPoints’ Josue Pavon. “This was a decision made by billionaires. For the past 12 to 15 years, players have called the shots. This was the owners, the governors, the billionaires deciding their course of action.”
“…This was a brilliant business move by billionaires saying, ‘This is what we need for now, and this is what the league needs.’ You get 10 years of Luka representing the Lakers, and you also pair him with LeBron James… the face of the league, who can guide him on how to take that role and how to take care of his body.”
Wade’s perspective on the NBA reaping significant rewards from the Doncic trade is tough to argue with. The trade not only sparked massive attention during the Super Bowl week but also ensures the most popular international player, Doncic, will continue his career with the Lakers for the foreseeable future.
However, Wade’s statement suggested he believes NBA team owners colluded to make this all happen for the league’s advantage. His viewpoint is especially interesting, considering his role as a minority owner of the Utah Jazz, a franchise that stands to gain from this increase in global appeal.