Context:

The Dallas Mavericks made a bold move by trading their star player Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, a decision that could impact the franchise for years. Prior to this trade, the Mavericks had considered pairing Doncic with Rudy Gobert, a three-time All-Star who expressed interest in joining Dallas. Gobert eventually went to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Doncic had memorable performances against him, notably in the 2024 Western Conference Finals. The Mavericks' decision not to acquire Gobert may have been beneficial, but the ultimate success of the Davis trade hinges on whether he can lead them to a championship. Meanwhile, the Lakers could potentially trade for another former Mavericks center, as speculated in ongoing NBA trade discussions.

Dive Deeper:

• The Dallas Mavericks created a stir by trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, an exchange that brought a top-tier defender to Dallas but left questions about the long-term impact on the team.

• There was mutual interest between the Mavericks and Rudy Gobert in 2022 for a potential partnership with Luka Doncic, as Gobert was considering leaving the Utah Jazz, with Dallas being a preferred destination.

• Rudy Gobert was eventually traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a package that included multiple players and future first-round draft picks, rather than joining the Mavericks.

• Luka Doncic had several noteworthy moments with the Mavericks, including outplaying Gobert during the 2024 Western Conference Finals, showcasing his skill and leadership on the court.

• The decision not to acquire Gobert might have been beneficial for Dallas, but trading away Doncic could have long-lasting consequences unless Anthony Davis can secure a championship for the team.

• Speculation continues around the NBA, with predictions about the Lakers potentially making more trades, including one involving a former Mavericks center.

• Sports journalist Sameer Kumar provides analysis on these developments, focusing on player performance and the strategic impact of such trades within the NBA landscape.

• The Dallas Mavericks sent shockwaves around the league when they traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis.

• The Mavericks acquired an all-world defender in exchange for their former franchise superstar, but they could've acquired a different one while holding onto Doncic. ESPN's Tim MacMahon recently shared that the Mavs and former Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert had a mutual interest in joining forces back in 2022 on an episode of "The Hoop Collective."

• “You know who once was excited about the potential of playing with Luka, it’s pretty funny, Rudy Gobert," MacMahon revealed.

• "When it was pretty obvious that he wanted to spend his whole career in Utah, but when it was pretty obvious that might not be the way that thing was going that last year, Dallas was at the top of his kind of silent list of preferred destinations. And there was a time when Mark Cuban and Nico Harrison were both very interested in that idea," MacMahon concluded.

• Gobert ended up getting dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, the draft rights to Walker Kessler, and four first-round draft picks (2023, 2025, 2027, and 2029).

• One of Doncic's most iconic moments in a Mavericks uniform came when he crossed up Gobert on a switch and buried a three-point dagger in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals during the Mavs' run to the 2024 NBA Finals.

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• Doncic also had plenty of success with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II as his bigs, while Dallas successfully exploited Gobert's defensive weaknesses away from the basket.

• Not acquiring Gobert probably worked out for the Mavs in the long run, but trading Doncic away is a decision that could haunt the franchise for years unless Davis helps the Mavs bring home a championship.

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