Trade talks between Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka concerning a potential deal involving Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis have been evolving over the last three weeks, as revealed by Harrison.
The two executives have a longstanding professional relationship, dating back over twenty years to when Harrison was with Nike and Pelinka represented the iconic Kobe Bryant.
Their shared history helped facilitate the ongoing discussions, as they’ve built mutual trust over the years.
As the trade grew closer to reality, Harrison received strong support from Mavs team governor Patrick Dumont, which proved crucial in finalizing the deal.
Dumont’s backing gave Harrison the confidence to proceed with the trade despite the potential risks.
One of the key factors in the Mavericks’ decision to pursue a trade for Davis was Harrison’s desire to avoid what he described as a potentially “tumultuous summer” that would stem from negotiating a supermax contract with Doncic.
With Doncic’s future a topic of growing concern, the Mavs saw this move as a proactive step toward reshaping the roster and managing their cap situation more effectively.
Importantly, Harrison made it clear that the Slovenian sensation was never made publicly available for trade, and the focus was squarely on securing Davis as part of the team’s plan moving forward.
Doncic has played 7 seasons for the Mavericks. He has averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists in 422 regular-season games. He was selected to play in 5 All-Star games and has won the Rookie of the Year award.
Trade Discussions Between Mavs, Lakers Over Luka Doncic 'Built' Over Last Three Weeks https://t.co/42hzMeMb0s
— RealGM (@RealGM) February 2, 2025
