Part 2/10:
The initial reaction to the news was a collective gasp. How could the Mavericks, led by owner Mark Cuban, part ways with a player they had deemed nearly untouchable? Dončić, a generational talent who had been described by Cuban as someone he would "rather leave his wife" than trade, was the cornerstone of the franchise and instrumental in their most recent success, taking them to the NBA Finals just a year prior.
The shock deepened as it became evident that neither player nor even the Lakers' General Manager, LeBron James, had been made aware of the trade beforehand. This clandestine approach to executing the deal added an air of mystery, reminiscent of conspiracy theories bubbling up online, leaving many to wonder if the league's higher-ups had intervened for the sake of ratings or drama.