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Dallas Mavericks: The 3 best draft day trades in franchise history

By Kohl Rast

OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 23: Devin Harris #34 of the Dallas Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks look on during a game against the Golden State Warriors on March 22, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MARCH 23: Devin Harris #34 of the Dallas Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks look on during a game against the Golden State Warriors on March 22, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Luka Doncic – 2018

The Luka Doncic trade in last year’s draft is looking like it will be one of the better win-win trades we have seen from draft day in recent history. The Mavs, of course, had the 5th overall pick in the draft, but had their eyes set on international phenom, Luka Doncic.

There were murmurs that Luka might end up falling to the Mavs at pick 5, but no one truly believed them, so Dallas had to make a move. That move was trading with the Atlanta Hawks to move up two spots and get their guy, Luka. The Hawks meanwhile got the guy they had their eye on in Trae Young. They also got the Mavs first round pick this year which is the 10th overall.

Looking back at Luka prior to the 2018 NBA Draft. Related Story

Anyone that is not trying to convince themselves otherwise saw that Luka Doncic was far and away the best rookie in the NBA this year. That is not trying to take away from an impressive season that Young had, it is just facts. Young was inarguably the second best rookie out there.

Perhaps the two biggest name players the Mavs have picked in the draft, were acquired via draft day trades. I won’t spoil who number 1 is just yet, but I think most of you have heard of him.

Luka represents the 2nd best draft day trade the Mavericks have ever made and he hasn’t even played in his second year in the NBA. And honestly, he will never take over that top spot no matter what happens.