NBA Trade Scenarios: What Every Team Could Have Offered for Luka Dončić

The Blockbuster That Shook the NBA

The basketball world was stunned when the Dallas Mavericks traded five-time All-NBA guard Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and draft assets. But what if all 29 other teams had the opportunity to make their best offer? ESPN's Bobby Marks puts on his GM hat to explore 28 hypothetical blockbuster trades that could have changed the landscape of the league.

Why the Lakers Deal Worked

• Confidentiality was key: The trade succeeded because negotiations remained private, avoiding the media circus that typically surrounds superstar trades
• Salary cap considerations: The Lakers were $3.5M below the second apron, while Dallas needed Davis to waive his $5.1M trade bonus
• Win-now mentality: Mavs GM Nico Harrison prioritized defense, believing Davis gave them a better championship chance

Top Contenders' Trade Packages

Cleveland Cavaliers

• Offer: Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, 2031 unprotected first
• Pros: Creates NBA's best backcourt with Donovan Mitchell
• Cons: Loses frontcourt depth during a championship-caliber season

Houston Rockets

• Offer: Dillon Brooks, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., two Phoenix firsts
• Assets: Still retains five tradable firsts after the deal
• New lineup: Dončić joins VanVleet, Green, Thompson, and Sengun

Golden State Warriors

• Offer: Wiggins, Kuminga, Podziemski, Payton II, three firsts
• Superstar pairing: Creates historic Dončić-Curry backcourt
• Comparison: Similar framework to Miami's Jimmy Butler trade

Rebuilding Teams' High-Risk Offers

Oklahoma City Thunder

• Historic package: 7 first-round picks plus five players
• Core protection: Keeps SGA, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren
• Depth cost: Loses defensive stopper Lu Dort

San Antonio Spurs

• Unprecedented: 6 unprotected firsts
• Wembanyama pairing: Creates Euro superstar duo
• Future cost: Depletes most draft assets

Salary Cap Complexities

Teams above the second apron faced significant restrictions:

• Boston Celtics: Could only offer Jaylen Brown plus picks
• Milwaukee Bucks: Limited to Damian Lillard or Giannis
• Phoenix Suns: Restricted to Durant or Booker trades

The Mavericks' Perspective

Former owner Mark Cuban believed Dallas should have gotten more:

"If the Mavs are going to trade Luka, get a better deal. Four unprotected firsts with AD would change the conversation."

However, Lakers owner Jeannie Buss emphasized maintaining team chemistry:

"It was crucial we didn't blow up the team. A leaked trade would have been a huge distraction."

Most Intriguing Potential Pairings

1. Dončić + Jalen Brunson (Knicks reunion)
2. Dončić + Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
3. Dončić + Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
4. Dončić + Bam Adebayo (Heat)
5. Dončić + De'Aaron Fox (Kings)

Full trade breakdowns available for all 28 teams in the original ESPN analysis.