Dallas Mavericks make the perfect trade with Hornets that Luka Doncic loves

Bradley Lockett

Toronto Raptors v Charlotte Hornets / Jared C. Tilton/GettyImages

The Dallas Mavericks closed out their East Coast road trip 3-0 after defeating the New York Knicks 122-108 on Thursday.

The recent play of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving makes fans optimistic about the rest of the season. The Mavericks look to make a run in the Western Conference standings, eventually leading to a playoff run.

Before the game against New York, the NBA trade deadline commenced and the Mavericks happened to be winners of Thursday's deadline.

Dallas Mavericks make the perfect trade with Hornets that Luka Doncic loves

ESPN Senior Analyst Adrian Wojnarowski reported on his show "The WoJ Pod" that Mavericks' star Luka Doncic was "very enthusiastic" about the team acquiring top trade target, P.J. Washington.

The Mavericks have felt pressure to build and better the roster since the departure of Jalen Brunson after a Western Conference Finals run. Being able to add Washington now rather than later on was a motivating factor in the Mavs getting the deal done.

In addition to acquiring Washington, the Mavericks were able to complete a pretty creative trade between the Washington Wizards and Oklahoma City Thunder. Daniel Gafford solidifies the Mavericks frontcourt and allows some breathing room for star rookie Dereck Lively II.

These are two moves Doncic should be ecstatic about. With the team's health finally trending upward and the improved play of Josh Green, this Mavericks team is poised for a great second half of their season and hopefully a deep playoff run.

With the Mavericks hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday in Dallas, it could be the first chance to witness the newly acquitted Mavericks in action. For the latest on the newest Mavericks, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, stay tuned.

Bradley Lockett

Bradley Lockett is a contributor for The Smoking Cuban, where he has been covering the Dallas Mavericks since October 2023. With a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and Marketing from Texas State University, his background in sports runs deep. A former collegiate football player at Western Colorado University and a multi-sport athlete in high school, his firsthand experience on the field fueled his passion for sports media. Bradley brings unique insight to Mavericks coverage, specializing in game analysis and reader engagement, connecting with fans through in-depth breakdowns and compelling storytelling. Outside of writing, he enjoys traveling, socializing with friends, and watching almost every sport imaginable.