In 2025, it’s hard to find NBA players who are ready and capable enough to stay with a single franchise through the entirety of their careers.
However, the Dallas Mavericks had one such superstar, Luka Doncic, who had already led them to an NBA Finals appearance.
Despite Doncic’s talents and capabilities of potentially winning major accolades in the future, the Mavericks surprisingly decided to end the era by sending the 25-year-old to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for a trade package around a 31-year-old Anthony Davis.
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Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images
Victor Wembanyama reacts to the Luka Doncic trade
It’s been two weeks since the shocking move, but most people in the NBA are still taking their time to digest the move.
Ahead of the 2025 NBA All-Star game, San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama shared his two cents on the crazy trade between the two Western Conference juggernauts.
“I’ve watched games of both the Lakers and Mavs ever since it happened. But what I remember from it, what really strikes me, is how the Mavs’ fans are hurting, how they feel,” Wembanyama said.
It’s really something that I think was a really strong emotion. But otherwise, I think the Mavs are still contenders. The Lakers are contenders. It’s very competitive,” he continued.
“They traded for very good players. It’s interesting. We’ll see how it goes. But in two weeks after, it’s still the craziest trade I’ve ever seen,” the first-time NBA All-Star concluded.
At the end of the day, when healthy, Davis is easily one of the best two-way stars in the league. As a result, Wemby thinks the trade was somewhat even, despite being a crazy move.
Nikola Jokic shares similar sentiments
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Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
Prior to the unexpected trade, Doncic was categorized with the likes of Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama as arguably a handful of players who wouldn’t be traded unless they asked for it.
Despite that, similar to Wembanyama, Jokic also thinks the trade, albeit being crazy, was even for the Mavs and Lakers.
“I kind of think both teams win. I think maybe in my opinion, of course, I think Luka is a generational player, generational talent. I’m not saying that AD is not,” the Denver Nuggets superstar said.
“I’m just saying that Luka is somebody that did we see someone like this before, who is affecting the game on so many levels, so many possessions. He was building something there,” Jokic continued.
“I think he was hurt, and just — but I think it’s good because then people and players are going to take more seriously. I think a trade is not such a big thing, but if you trade someone like that, I think it becomes a little bit of a big thing, and maybe players become a little bit serious about it,” he concluded.
So far, both Davis and Doncic have played limited minutes for their new teams. While AD is currently sidelined due to an injury, Doncic is expected to be at his 100% post the All-Star break.
Either way, the clear winner in the trade will come across during the postseason. After all, winning the NBA Championship is the ultimate goal for every player in the league.