Former NBA champion Paul Pierce has given his verdict on the Dallas Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic.
Like it or hate it, and many hate it, the Dallas Mavericks will have to live with their decision to trade Luka Doncic for a long-time.
Doncic’s trade has left Mavericks fans furious at GM Nico Harrison, not helped by two subsequent losses that have seen the team slip to 11th place.
The Mavs did acquire Anthony Davis in the trade, who is working his way back from a minor injury, yet such was the attachment among the fanbase to Luka Doncic, that it is taking quite some adjustment to.
Former NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce spoke to FS1’s Speak about the trade that stunned basketball.
And he was asked directly if the Dallas Mavericks will regret the deal, and he provided a firm response.
Pierce said: “I think they absolutely will. I mean, this is a generational talent. Look at some of the stuff he’s done.
“Five time All-NBA, he took a team that had no business being in the finals last year, to the finals, and the other team he took to the Conference finals didn’t have no business being there.
“You just say, ‘Hey, if you just get this man a couple more pieces, he could be living in the NBA Finals’.
“So I think they gave up too fast on him. I mean, he’s only 25 years old, and the one ingredient I always say to win an NBA championship, you got to have a top five player, is Luka.”
While injuries have meant Luka Doncic is ineligible for the MVP in 2024-25, Pierce believes he will continue to be a perennial contender on the Lakers.
“Absolutely, he’s going to be in the MVP conversations for the next five to 10 years. I think that’s undeniable.”
There have been rumors the Mavericks want to add more star players to the team, and while that may help further soften the blow of losing Doncic, it is a tough one to take right now, with even head coach Jason Kidd left looking stunned.
Dallas Mavericks acquire:
- Anthony Davis
- Max Christie
- 2029 first round pick
LA Lakers acquire:
- Luka Doncic
- Maxi Kleber
- Markieff Morris
Utah Jazz acquire:
- Jalen-Hood Schifino
- 2025 second round pick
- 2025 second round pick (via Clippers)
