Sports analyst Colin Cowherd revealed insider information about the blockbuster trade that saw Luka Doncic move to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. According to Cowherd, the trade didn’t stem purely from the general manager’s decision but was influenced by pressure from the new ownership.
Cowherd explained that a trusted source, who has known Harrison for over 22 years, revealed that the move was “from above and beyond” the general manager. “This came from above and beyond the general manager,” Cowherd said on The Colin Cowherd Podcast. “No reasonable person, who’s smart enough to make the Kyrie Irving deal work last year, is going to give away Luka for one draft pick, 31-32-year-old Anthony Davis.”
He also pointed out that Harrison would never have made the trade on his own terms: “Nico Harrison’s too smart to think it. He made the Kyrie Irving deal work last year… This trade is different.” According to Cowherd, the deal was driven by a directive from new ownership to simply “subjugate your ego, make the deal.”
The sports analyst further speculated that the new ownership’s influence could have played a role in Mark Cuban’s decision to sell a major part of his stake in the team. Cuban had sold a significant portion of the Mavericks to Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont in December 2023, allowing them to have final say on all business and basketball decisions. “Is this the reason Mark Cuban sold?” Cowherd asked. “Is this privately the reason Mark Cuban knew that he was going to have to make this move when he sold it a year ago?”
Cowherd added that Doncic’s injury issues and defensive struggles led to growing concerns about his future with the franchise, especially with his hefty salary in the coming years. “They’ve been troubled, [Doncic] missed back-to-back training camps or most of them, hurt on Christmas, hasn’t come back, not going to be back for a few days, his defense is not good and he’s so ball centric that by the playoffs he can often look like an exhausted one-dimensional player scoring only,” Cowherd said.
He also pointed out the looming salary cap issues tied to Luka’s supermax contract: “You’re looking at $70 million annually. Well, it’s one thing if the supermax was $30 million, but when you have to pay somebody $350 million guaranteed plus $70 million annually, you start to consider everything, defense, conditioning, are you willing to do little things off the floor, are you totally focused [on] the community?”
The trade itself sent shockwaves through the NBA. The Lakers acquired Doncic, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, while the Mavericks received Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The Utah Jazz also facilitated the deal, acquiring Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks.
Despite currently sidelined with a calf injury, Doncic has been in stellar form this season, averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists. His arrival in Los Angeles adds significant firepower to a Lakers squad that already boasts LeBron James, who continues to defy age, averaging 24 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 9.1 assists.
For the Mavericks, the trade brings in Davis, a defensive powerhouse who is averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists this season. Dallas hopes that Davis will help them reach the playoffs and contend for a title.
The Lakers, sitting at 29-19, are in fifth place in the Western Conference, while the Mavericks are in 11th place with a 26-25 record. Both teams will have to adjust to their new rosters as they look to secure their playoff positions.
The trade represents a turning point for both franchises, with Los Angeles now focusing on pairing Doncic with LeBron for the future. Meanwhile, Dallas is betting on Davis to elevate their defense and playoff chances.
With the Western Conference reshaped by this deal, the NBA world will closely watch how both Doncic and Davis perform with their new teams as the 2024-25 season progresses.
