The biggest story for the Dallas Mavericks is still the most unexpected trade in NBA history, with Luka Doncic being shipped off to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis last weekend.
If Davis' debut brought anything to Mavs fans following the roughest week in franchise history, it was a glimpse of hope in a debut that very few might've had on their radar.
Before Davis went down in the second half with a left adductor strain, he roared in his debut blocking shots, grabbing rebounds, and knocking down jumpers. Davis finished with 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and 3 rejections. Now, Davis is expected to miss multiple weeks.
With Nico Harrison's move to trade Doncic looking more foolish every day, his move makes absolutely no sense whatsoever when taking into account the reasons that he made the trade.
Doncic's Mavericks could beat any team in the West
A recent interview between Mavs Governor Patrick Dumont and the Dallas Morning News revealed much about what the Mavs front office had really thought about Doncic, pretty much alluding to him not having a 'singular focus to win.'
On the basketball court, that couldn't be any further from the truth with Doncic leading the Mavs to a 2024 NBA Finals appearance for the first time since their lone championship in 2011.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that it's the big men who can help lead Dallas to a championship victory, challenging other opposing big men. He talked about how they believe that they have the team to go win a title this year and talked about how they match up better with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, and Houston Rockets now.
A reminder that Mavs fans know so well is an up-and-coming rivalry with Oklahoma City, which Dallas has actually dominated this season with a 3-1 record, that one loss coming in the NBA Cup with Doncic present.
Dallas also got a key comeback victory against Memphis in the NBA Cup to advance to the quarterfinals. Dallas also just got a victory against Houston with Davis in the lineup. Any tough test the Mavs have gone through, they would have been able to do it with Doncic.
The point that the Mavericks match up better with the top teams in the West with Davis rather than Doncic just isn't true, and Doncic showed he can lead Dallas to wins over any opponent at any time was proved last season in the playoffs.
Dallas had championship aspirations following their magical journey last season, and they still had to go on the road to start every series, and it didn't matter for Doncic. He had the clutch gene and he always thrived while playing the villain role.
Harrison just doesn't get that Doncic wasn't just a star basketball player, he embraced the visiting crowds by always trolling them and winning big-time ball games, that's why Dallas fans wanted to win with Doncic. Dallas fans were willing to go through the pain of just missing out on a title, like last year in 2024.
Dumont and Harrison's comments show they don't really understand fandom at all, and while Davis looked to be a slight glimpse of hope, he'll be out for some time. Doncic was the face of Dallas. It might be a while until the front office starts to see the real repercussions of what was done with Doncic.