Mavericks GM expands on why club traded Luka Doncic

The Dallas Mavericks trading point guard Luka Doncic seems like a financial move, not a basketball one. 

On Saturday night, the Dallas Mavericks dealt Doncic, forward Maxi Kleber and forward Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for forward Anthony Davis, shooting guard Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. 

The Utah Jazz were also included in the deal, receiving guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, plus 2025 second-round picks from Los Angeles and Dallas.

In a Sunday interview with the Dallas Morning News' Brad Townsend, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison said trading for Davis puts them in a position to "win now and win in the future." However, he also suggested he was unsure they would sign Doncic — who's in the third year of a five-year, $215.1M deal — to an extension. 

"We really feel like we got ahead of what was going to be a tumultuous summer, with him being eligible for a supermax and also a year from him being able to opt out of any contract," Harrison said. "And so we 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." 

The Mavs probably weren't in a position to outbid other teams or give him a supermax (a five-year, $345M deal). Spotrac estimates they'll be $63.99M over the salary cap next season.  

Dallas probably didn't want to commit to a player who seemingly lacks self-discipline.

ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported the Mavericks had concerns about the 25-year-old's diet and conditioning, which have contributed to his injury issues (h/t ESPN's Dave McMenamin). 

The Lakers also have salary-cap questions but no longer have to worry about signing Doncic to a mega deal. ESPN's Bobby Marks, a former assistant GM for the Brooklyn Nets, posted on social media that Doncic is no longer eligible for a supermax. Thus, the Lakers could sign the five-time All-Star to a discount. 

Davis may help the Mavs improve defensively, but the injury-prone big man may not help the franchise win its second title. In 13 seasons with the Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans, he's only played in 75 or more regular-season games three times. 

Harrison better hope Doncic doesn't thrive in L.A. Otherwise, he may regret not finding a way to pay him.