Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison says the decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers allowed his franchise to get ahead of an offseason that was set to be dominated by contract negotiations.
Doncic can become an unrestricted free agent in the 2026 offseason if he declines his $49-million player option. Harrison said Doncic didn't indicate a desire to leave Dallas, but still felt it was the right time for the move.
"We really feel like we got ahead of what was going to be a tumultuous summer, him being eligible for the supermax and also a year away from him being able to opt out of any contract," Harrison said, according to The Dallas Morning News' Brad Townsend. "And so we really felt like we got out in front of that. We know teams, they've had it out there, teams have been loading up to try to sign him once that comes available."
Doncic could have received a five-year, $345-million extension from the Mavericks this summer, but the trade means he's no longer eligible for a supermax deal.
"I understand why they would be shocked, initially," Harrison added. "But I do believe that we positioned ourselves to win now and also win in the future."
Doncic led the Mavericks to an NBA Finals appearance last season, but Harrison believes Anthony Davis gives the franchise a better chance at winning a title.
"That's ultimately the goal and why we're here," Harrison said. "It's one of those things where it's my job to make the tough decisions that put our goals first and foremost."
Harrison said he and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka had discussions for over a month, and he leaned on Davis' defense to justify the trade.
"When you get an All-NBA player who's also a first-team All-Defensive player, we think that's gonna help us where we need it the most, on the defensive end."
Harrison said he didn't inform Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd of the trade until after the deal was finalized. He added that Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont originally laughed at him when he first brought up the idea and confirmed that he didn't speak to any other teams about a deal involving Doncic.
The executive didn't criticize Doncic but did address the culture of the Mavericks.
"I'm not gonna talk bad about any players," Harrison said. "I just say there's levels to it. There's people that fit the culture and there's people that come in and add to the culture. And those are two distinct things, and I believe that the people that were coming in are adding to the culture."
There are questions of Davis' fit in a stacked Dallas frontcourt that includes Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. However, Harrison expects the Mavericks to do something similar to the Cleveland Cavaliers, whose starting lineup features both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
"Anthony's probably going to finish games at the five, but you're going to see those guys play together," Harrison said. "And when Lakers won, he played the four."
Harrison said he spoke with Doncic's agent, Bill Duffy, about the trade, but he hasn't talked directly to Doncic himself.
"My guess is he probably doesn't want to talk to me," Harrison said.
