Part 2/7:
At first glance, trading away a generational talent like Dončić appears to be a monumental mistake for the Mavericks that could haunt their franchise for years. His remarkable skill set has drawn comparisons to some of the NBA's all-time greats, and his performance under pressure has proven extraordinary. With a postseason scoring average that ranks only behind the legendary Michael Jordan, Dončić had become synonymous with Mavericks basketball.
Yet, if we delve deeper into the motivations behind the trade, a more complicated picture begins to emerge. Was this merely a blunder, or does it highlight deeper, systemic issues within the franchise and the league at large?
Unpacking the Reasons for the Trade
Rethinking Defense