Grant Williams spoke candidly this week about the Dallas Mavericks’ shocking trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, calling out the team’s handling of the situation.
On the Off The Record podcast, Williams said he believed Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison tried to honor Doncic’s preferences but failed to communicate properly. “Now, I do think Nico tried to do right by Luka,” Williams said, via HoopsHype. “Because I don’t think Luka ever wanted to leave Dallas — ever. But if he had to leave, the only teams he’d even consider going to were maybe: L.A., Miami, or another team of that level.”
Williams explained that Doncic might have accepted the deal under different circumstances. “So, in Nico’s mind, maybe he thought, ‘Okay, let me send him somewhere he’d accept,’” Williams continued. “But realistically — if Nico had gone to Luka, or even to his agent, and said, ‘Hey, this is the deal we’re thinking about…’ That would’ve made all the difference. Instead, it felt like it was just done — no heads-up, no respect.”
The February 2 trade sent Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a future first-round pick. The blockbuster move stunned fans and players alike, as it marked the first time two All-NBA players — Doncic and Davis — were traded for each other midseason.
Doncic, who was recovering from a calf strain at the time, reportedly learned of the trade only after it had been finalized. Harrison defended the deal publicly, stating, “I believe that defense wins championships,” but Williams’ remarks suggested deeper frustration behind the scenes.
