Part 7/10:
Despite the Lakers' potential, Nichols questioned the Mavericks' strategies moving forward. The fear of a long-term commitment to Dončić, manifested through a potential supermax contract, guided management’s decision-making. They may have curtailed their options by opting for a one-team trade with the Lakers rather than opening up the market for broader negotiations. This choice raises questions about whether they truly weighed their options effectively or acted out of impatience or uncertainty.