Even though things worked out for them, the Mavericks still find themselves atop an unwanted list for the Luka Doncic trade.
Of all the teams in the NBA last season, few were talked about as much as the Dallas Mavericks. Even though things panned out for them to some degree, the organization still finds itself facing backlash for the Luka Doncic trade.
Less than a year removed from him leading the Mavericks to the NBA Finals, the front office shockingly decided to move on from the homegrown superstar. Doncic was dealt to the LA Lakers in a league-altering trade that landed Dallas Anthony Davis.
The Mavs were set on building a defensive identity, but things did not unfold how they envisioned following the trade. Davis and Kyrie Irving both missed significant time due to injury, resulting in Dallas winding up in the draft lottery. This proved to be beneficial for them, as they made a historic leap to the No. 1 pick. With the selection, they nabbed Duke phenom Cooper Flagg.
As the offseason rolls along, ESPN's Zach Kram broke down every team's biggest mistakes in terms of roster construction over the past five years. The Mavericks ended up claiming the top spot, edging out the Phoenix Suns due to the Doncic trade.
But only one transaction this century was so surprising that it sparked questions about whether ESPN's Shams Charania's social media account been hacked when he reported it. Only one transaction was so absurd that it became a flashbulb memory, and fans across the world will remember, for decades to come, where they were when they learned the news. Only one transaction, most of all, was so outrageous that it sparked a mass revolt from its fan base.
With Flagg in the building now and some adjustments to the roster, the new-look Mavericks will attempt to compete in a loaded Western Conference to justify their bold decision to move on from Doncic.
Category: Basketball
