Mavericks' Dončić trade with Lakers a complete disaster, GM Harrison fired

One year later, the blockbuster deal that sent the All-NBA star to LA has been universally panned.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 1:55pm

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It's been one year since the Dallas Mavericks made the shocking decision to trade Luka Dončić, Markieff Morris, and Maxi Kleber to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The trade, orchestrated by Mavericks GM Nico Harrison, was immediately criticized by players, fans, and media alike as one of the worst deals in NBA history. A year later, the trade has proven to be a complete disaster for Dallas, with Davis struggling with injuries and the team failing to contend. Harrison was ultimately fired in November after failing to justify the trade and seeing the Mavericks' playoff hopes crumble.

Why it matters

The Dončić trade was a pivotal moment that permanently altered the trajectories of both the Mavericks and Lakers franchises. It highlighted the dangers of hubris and poor decision-making by team executives, as well as the importance of maintaining strong relationships with star players and the fan base. The fallout from this trade will linger for years, serving as a cautionary tale about the risks of trading away generational talent.

The details

In the trade, the Mavericks sent Dončić, a 24-year-old All-NBA First Team selection who had just led the team to the NBA Finals, along with Markieff Morris and Maxi Kleber, to the Lakers. In return, Dallas received the injury-prone Anthony Davis, rookie Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. Mavericks GM Nico Harrison defended the trade for months, citing concerns about Dončić's conditioning, commitment, and the risk of a supermax contract. However, these justifications were widely panned, with many calling it one of the worst trades in NBA history.

  • The trade was reported in the middle of the night on January 31, 2025.
  • Nico Harrison was fired by the Mavericks in November 2025, less than a year after the trade.

The players

Luka Dončić

A 24-year-old All-NBA First Team selection who had just led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals before being traded to the Lakers.

Nico Harrison

The Mavericks' general manager who orchestrated the trade of Dončić, despite widespread criticism, and was ultimately fired less than a year later.

Anthony Davis

The 31-year-old Lakers star who was the centerpiece of the trade for the Mavericks, but has struggled with injuries since the deal.

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What’s next

The Mavericks will look to rebuild around their 2025 lottery pick, Cooper Flagg, and try to recover from the disastrous Dončić trade.

The takeaway

The Dončić trade will go down as one of the worst decisions in Mavericks history, a cautionary tale about the dangers of trading away generational talent without properly exploring all options. It highlights the importance of maintaining strong relationships with star players and listening to the fan base, rather than making impulsive moves driven by ego or questionable justifications.