When the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off the blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic, it was hailed as a franchise-altering move. The post-LeBron James future? Secured. A new superstar in purple and gold? Done.
But as the dust settles, it is hard to ignore the uncomfortable possibility that the Dallas Mavericks might be the team to have won the trade. Not only that, they might be the one actually building the dynasty, and the man in charge of it all is Mavericks GM Nico Harrison, who might actually be getting the last laugh.
When Harrison sent Doncic to Los Angeles, critics and fans piled on
Fans torched him on social media. National voices questioned whether Dallas had just handed away a generation-defining talent for practically free. But now? With a new star to build around in Cooper Flagg (the No. 1 pick of the 2025 draft), a healthy Anthony Davis returning, and a real bench coming together, Dallas suddenly looks like a deeper, more complete team. And the thing is, it is not just fans who see it. Paul George said it recently on his podcast.
"When you think about a team being constructed with what Cooper can bring, with a healthy Kyrie [Irving] coming back, ... one of the best elite shooters in Klay [Thompson] and then one of the most efficient bigs we’ve seen in [Daniel] Gafford, not to mention a top 5 player in AD … they have a really good roster when healthy and everybody is kind of clicking... I like what Dallas got."
Meanwhile, the Lakers, despite landing Luka, are looking alarmingly top-heavy. Their depth chart behind Doncic and James is thin. The supporting cast is inconsistent. The defense is shaky. If either star sits, the floor drops fast.
There is more to be worried about for the Lakers
If the Lakers can’t build a real contender around Luka, he could simply walk away after the 2026 season without signing an extension. Los Angeles could have the narrative flipped on them, and it would be their GM Rob Pelinka who might have given up Davis for practically free.
This isn't about questioning Luka’s greatness. He is for sure a one-of-one talent. But even Luka can’t cover every hole. The NBA has moved beyond the superteam era. Depth wins titles. And right now, Dallas is winning that category.
Did Nico Harrison have it right all along?
For all the early jokes and panic takes, Nico Harrison might be the one who saw the bigger picture. He flipped a volatile situation into flexibility, balance, and future star power. If Dallas starts climbing, while the Lakers tread water, the league will have to admit it.