Conspiracy theories have surged in popularity recently because they attempt to explain the unexplainable. In the world of sports, few topics are more bewildering than the Dallas Mavericks trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. The shocking news of the Mavericks trading their 25-year-old five-time first-team All-NBA selection triggered a wave of speculation. The leading theory suggests that this move was orchestrated by the NBA’s higher-ups to boost ratings, as one of the league’s most promising stars joins its most storied franchise. Meanwhile, Dwyane Wade claimed this was an attempt by NBA owners to regain control from the players, while Bill Simmons argued that the deal was designed to alienate Mavericks fans as part of a larger scheme to relocate the team to Las Vegas.
Despite the various conspiracy theories circulating, ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst, known for his sharp insights on NBA deals, is rejecting them all. He stated on Wednesday’s episode of Get Up, “This is also uncharted territory, what I’m about to say. I believe everything that everybody has said about this deal. Everything that LeBron [James] says, everything that Luka says, everything that Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison, everything that Kyrie [Irving] said. I believe everybody is telling the truth. I never believe that in the NBA when it comes to what they say in the media. In this case, from what I know, I think everybody is telling the truth.”
Brian Windhorst on the Luka Doncic trade: “I believe everything that everybody has said about this deal. Everything that LeBron says, everything that Luka says, everything that Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison, everything that Kyrie said. I believe everybody is telling the truth. I… pic.twitter.com/6mKJKos1FM
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 5, 2025
Regarding the reasons for the trade, Windhorst pointed to the Mavericks’ reluctance to pay Dončić a $350 million supermax extension this summer. He noted that this might be the first instance in LeBron James’ career that he wasn’t consulted on a deal of this size, but acquiring a player like Dončić was simply a no-brainer for the Lakers. Windhorst went on to say, “Everything is just straight on the up and up. It’s stunning. It’s shocking. It may be a massive mistake for the Dallas Mavericks. But everything that happened is straightforward. I know it’s hard to accept because of the world we’re in today. But that is indeed what has gone on and that is my takeaway.”
Later, on First Take, Windhorst reaffirmed his position: “I know that there are QAnon, Illuminati, and 4D chess theories; I reject all of them. I think this is exactly what it appears to be on face value.”
“I know that there is QAnon, Illuminati, 4D chess theories, I reject all of them.” – Brian Windhorst on conspiracies surrounding the Luka Doncic trade. pic.twitter.com/TYBHvUGXE1
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 5, 2025
Windhorst acknowledges that, in the world of the NBA, there’s often more beneath the surface. Yet, he emphasizes that all the information being provided by the Mavericks, Lakers, players, and general managers aligns, even if the trade itself remains shocking. The primary reason this deal is so surprising is the challenge of understanding why a team would part with such a talented and young player like Dončić. However, once you accept that this is what transpired—whether or not you agree with it—the narrative becomes clearer.
