Saturday night’s blockbuster NBA trade that saw Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis swap teams has led to an outpouring of opinions from big-name personalities in sports media. Naturally, NBA on TNT analyst Charles Barkley was no exception, sharing his insights on the matter.
In one of the more unique moves in NBA history, both the Mavericks and the Lakers will welcome perennial All-NBA level talent at the cost of their franchise cornerstones. However, many are left questioning why the Mavericks would part ways with Dončić, who is only 25 and in the prime of his career. Barkley expressed his shock during an appearance on NBA TV, stating that he was surprised the Mavs did not explore other potential suitors if they were interested in trading Dončić.
“Those are the two aspects of this trade that are shocking,” Barkley commented. “A star for a star. And they didn’t go for the highest bidder. They went for a quick deal and it was over. In fairness, they got a hell of a player. Anthony Davis is an All-NBA player.”
Charles Barkley: “[The Dallas Mavericks] didn’t go for the highest bidder. They went for a quick deal and it was over.”pic.twitter.com/nnqtsogoDH https://t.co/hnYTf98zW5
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 2, 2025
Barkley further speculated that the Mavericks might have insights about Dončić that are not apparent to him or other media members. “Let me tell you something. The only people that know Luka Dončić is the Dallas Mavericks,” he remarked. “Guys who have been with him for years, who have been with him every day. He’s a great player, but all of us talking heads… They must know something we don’t know. Listen, he’s been hurt. Everybody complains about his conditioning. But once you give a guy 5 years, $350 million, y’all are stuck together for life.”
Dončić has been out since Christmas due to a lingering calf injury, and Barkley may be hinting that the Mavericks believe this issue could ultimately benefit his career longevity. Yet, it’s important to note that players must undergo a physical before joining their new teams, suggesting that any unknown concerning Dončić’s injury would likely be uncovered before finalizing the trade.
On the other hand, Davis has also faced frequent injury setbacks throughout his career, implying that the argument regarding injury history applies to both players involved in the trade. Regardless of the reasoning behind the Mavericks’ decision to trade their young star just a year after reaching the NBA Finals, this move might be remembered as the most shocking trade in league history, with all eyes on both Davis and Dončić for years to come to determine who truly won the deal.
