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In comparison, giving up Anthony Davis—a player whose two-way capabilities are well regarded—along with a first-round pick may seem like a steep price, especially considering the trade’s context. However, the reality is that for the Lakers, having a foundational player like Dončić offers significant upside that dwarfs what they lost in the transaction.
The Mavericks: A Confounding Decision
On the other hand, evaluating Dallas's decision-making raises serious concerns. There’s a prevailing sentiment among fans and analysts that the Mavericks have made a colossal misstep. The rationale behind valuing Anthony Davis over Dončić is tenuous at best, especially when recognizing the potential return Dallas could have garnered if they’d openly shopped Dončić around the league.