There’s nothing more to be said about what Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison did late Saturday night. The shocking and inexplicable trade of Luka Doncic to the Lakers is a demoralizing deal for the team that might take two decades to overcome, and a sucker-gut-punch to all Mavs fans that might not ever go away.

It is foul. And it feels more personal than I ever imagined it could.

I understand the concerns about his conditioning. I get the problems with his inattention to defense. I am continuously frustrated by Luka’s immaturity with referees. But he is by far–going away! indisputable!– the most exciting-must-see-thrilling-can’t-miss superstar in the NBA. “Luka Magic” is a thing, it’s real! Luka makes you tune into a road game against the Raptors on a Tuesday night in November because you know you’re going to see something you’ve never seen before. Just about every night. Luka’s specialty is taking your breath away. These thirteen highlights in the clutch are just a very small sample.

Luka is not even 26-years-old, he’s been All-NBA every season except one, and he was NBA Rookie of the Year that season. He gets league MVP votes every year. He averaged 40 minutes per game in 92 games last season, including the playoffs, which culminated with the NBA Finals. He’s already broken several of Magic Johnson’s and Michael Jordan’s all-time scoring records, and he’s posted more triple-doubles than both Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird. If Luka wants to just jog up and down the floor with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth the first half of the season, you let him! He’s a global sensation, a once-in-a-generation superstar. And, again, he’s just about to turn 26. Was there no thought given to patiently allowing him to grow and mature, to realize the value to his own career and the good fortunes of his team in proper conditioning and getting back on D? And while he’s maturing, isn’t it okay to keep winning playoff series and maybe capture a title or two?

Here are 100 Luka highlights. Twenty minutes of Luka Magic. The most exciting player in the NBA. No-look passes, between-the-legs dribbles, and behind-the-back dimes. One-handed, off-balance, corner fadeaway swishes and mind-blowing half-court heaves. Tons of crazy threes. Buzzer-beaters. Game-winners. Series clinchers. And, most of the time, that tremendous smile. And, sometimes, that menacing snarl.

It’s the worst trade in NBA history. Unprecedented. I am as stunned as I’ve ever been in my life, and I have no hope of this ever making any sense. Nico traded away the young dynamic superstar face of the franchise for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and one first-round draft pick in 2029. Nico did not contact any other teams. He only spoke to the Lakers. And he started the conversation way back on January 7.

For perspective, in 2019, OKC traded Paul George (29) to the Clippers and received five first-round picks and two players. In 2022, the Jazz traded Rudy Gobert (30) to Minnesota for four 1st round picks and five players. In 2023, the Nets traded Kevin Durant (34) to Phoenix for four 1st round picks and three players. And earlier this season, the Nets sent Mikel Bridges (28) to the Knicks for five 1st round picks and three players. Saturday night, Nico gave Luka to the Lakers for Davis (32) and Christie and one pick. It boggles the mind. One total draft pick. And Davis will probably be finished playing before they can use it!

Utah and the Nets each have eleven 1st round picks in the next five years. You think they might have given up at least half of them for a shot at Luka? The other GMs in the NBA had no idea Luka was on the block. You think Memphis would consider giving up Jaren Jackson? You think the Cavs might have been tempted to part ways with Evan Mobley? Could you have pried Giannis away from Milwaukee? We’ll never know. Nico didn’t even ask.

Here is an excellent piece by Jamey Newberg that perfectly captures both the fan’s side of the shock and the lingering nauseating pit in my gut and the detailed point-by-point case for this being the most awful trade in the history of sports. He’s so good. I want Jamey to write my sermons! And you must read this article by SI’s Michael Rosenberg about how you must have a superstar to win championships in the NBA and how difficult they are to handle and how the Mavericks royally messed it up. And, while I am on the record as staunchly opposed to emojis, you need to see Dirk’s immediate response to the news late Saturday night.

I watched a little bit of the Lakers press conference today introducing Luka as the newest member of the team. He talked about the shock of the trade. He talked about the tears he shed when he got the news from his agent (neither Nico nor Kidd made the call). I remembered that Luka was two weeks away from closing on his new house in Dallas; his agent told the Dallas Morning News Sunday that Luka had fully expected to spend his entire career in Dallas. Luka was polite and said all the right things about playing in LA. He posed for pictures with his new purple and gold Lakers #77 jersey. He hugged his new GM, his new coach, and a couple of his new teammates. It was very much like watching your girlfriend get married to your sworn enemy.

And getting Anthony Davis and a 2029 1st round pick in return.

Peace,

Allan