Mavericks stumbled on hilarious Luka Doncic coincidence (it could be perfect)

The Dallas Mavericks trading Luka Doncic was one of the most brutal moments in NBA history, and it seemed like everyone knew it was a bad decision. However, in an ironic twist of fate, they somehow got back a guy who was selected before Doncic in their follow-up deal that shipped out Anthony Davis: Marvin Bagley III. And he already looks like a sneakily good addition.

In the 2018 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings selected Bagley with the second-overall pick, just one selection before Doncic. The Mavs traded up to pick Doncic, and ever since, the Kings have been mocked for their pick. But now, eight years after that draft, Bagley is a Maverick, and he actually looked solid in his debut.

Bagley playing well for the Mavericks has the chance to be a very funny twist of fate.

Mavericks got Marvin Bagley III back (in aggregate) in the Luka Doncic trade

Obviously, when the Mavericks traded Doncic, they sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers, and in return, they got back Davis. However, the Davis era in Dallas didn’t last long.

The Mavs have since fired Nico Harrison, who made the Doncic trade, and traded Davis in a deal to the Washington Wizards, in which they got back Bagley.

Obviously, Bagley wasn’t the shining star of the Davis trade. There really wasn’t one. The Mavs should just be happy to be off of Davis’ long-term money.

That said, in his first game in Dallas, Bagley looked pretty good. And he could end up being a decent player for them, which would be hilarious, considering how linked he will always be with Doncic.

In his first game as a Maverick, a 138-125 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, Bagley came off the bench and ended up playing 24:23—the fourth-most minutes on the team that night.

Bagley finished the game with 16 points, a team-high 12 rebounds (including eight offensive boards), two assists, one steal, and a game-high four blocks. He shot 6-of-14 from the floor and 1-of-1 from beyond the three-point arc.

If Bagley wants to be a regular in the Mavericks’ rotation, he has a long way to go. However, with the injury to Dereck Lively II, he has a real chance to play this year.

Seeing Doncic turn into Davis was brutal. And now, the return that Dallas got back for Doncic turned into, in part, the guy who was (wrongly) selected just one spot before him in the 2018 NBA Draft.

But still, at this point, Bagley looks like an interesting project for the Mavs. No matter how ridiculous the history behind the move is.