Mavericks GM embracing risk of Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade: Time will tell if Im right

The NBA world continued sifting through the many layers of aftershock Sunday over the blockbuster trade that somehow sent the Lakers their next in a long line of generational superstars — guard Luka Doncic to team with LeBron James.How in the name of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron did this happen again?The three-team deal that saw perennial All-Star big man Anthony Davis and a first-round pick headed to the Mavericks with other players also changing teams, caught everyone off guard when ESPN’s Shams Charania first broke the news of the megaswap just after midnight Sunday morning.Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison stunningly admitted in a news conference that he didn’t talk to any NBA teams other than the Lakers about dealing Doncic, a five-time All-Star averaging 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists over seven NBA seasons.The Athletic later reported that another team was approached by the Mavericks about Doncic.“I understand why [everyone] would be shocked, initially, but I do believe that we positioned ourselves to win now and also win in the future,” Harrison said.

“And that’s ultimately the goal and why we’re here.It’s one of those things where it’s my job to make the tough decisions that put our goals first and foremost.“So I understand the magnitude of it, but the easiest thing for me to do is do nothing and everyone would praise me for doing nothing.

But we really believe in it and time will tell if I’m right.”According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the Mavericks had “major concerns” about the 25-year-old Doncic’s conditioning and lifestyle hindering his ability to fulfill his potential.Dallas also was worried enough that “they were terrified” about signing Doncic to a five-year, $345 million supermax contract extension, MacMahon reported.Doncic, who hasn’t played since Christmas due to a calf injury, now is ineligible for the supermax and only can be offered a five-...