DALLAS — The Mavericks fired Nico Harrison after a home loss to Milwaukee. The decision came just months after his boldest move — trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. What was meant to reshape the Mavs has instead become a cautionary tale. In the conversation about the Worst trades of all time. Luka Dončić’s already near the top.
With Nico Gone, Where Does Luka Dončić’s Trade Rank Among The Worst Of All Time?
When Ambition Turns into Regret
Teams make bad decisions all the time. Most start as short-term gambits — desperate plays to extend a window, appease a star, or shift direction. But history rarely forgives haste. When franchises trade away greatness for comfort, it leaves scars that define decades.
1. Paul George → Los Angeles Clippers (2019)
The Clippers mortgaged their future to pair Kawhi Leonard with Paul George. The Thunder walked away with a dynasty core — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five first-round picks, and two swaps. Today, Oklahoma City are defending champions and off to an 11–1 start this season. Meanwhile, the Clippers have zero Finals appearances to show for their gamble. The lesson? Oklahoma City built a title machine out of someone else’s desperation.
2. Kevin Garnett & Paul Pierce → Brooklyn Nets (2013)
Brooklyn thought it was buying leadership and experience. Instead, it bought a slow-motion collapse. The Celtics flipped the haul into Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown — the foundation of their 2024 championship.
The Nets’ window lasted barely two seasons. Their short-term gamble turned into one of the NBA’s longest rebuilds. Boston’s sustained success still traces back to that trade.
3. Luka Dončić → Los Angeles Lakers (2025)
This one is personal for Dallas fans. The Mavericks traded a 25-year-old MVP candidate for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and one unprotected pick. Since the deal, Davis has played only 14 of 39 games. The Mavericks have fallen to 3–8, 14th in the West. Nico Harrison, the architect of the trade, is now out of a job.
In the debate about the worst trades of all time, Luka Dončić’s stands beside the league’s greatest missteps. You don’t trade away a generational player entering his prime — you build around him. It hurts even more that the return in the trade feels like a massive underpay.
4. Charlotte Hornets Trade Kobe Bryant’s Rights (1996)
The Hornets sent Kobe Bryant’s draft rights to the Lakers for Vlade Divac. Divac was a capable big man. Kobe became a five-time champion, MVP, and global icon. The Hornets never recovered from that one decision. It remains a classic case of shortsighted thinking over long-term vision.
5. Milwaukee Bucks Trade Dirk Nowitzki’s Rights (1998)
Milwaukee chose Robert Traylor over Dirk Nowitzki. Dirk became an MVP, Finals MVP, and one of the best shooters in history. Traylor was out of the league within years. The Bucks handed Dallas a future legend — a mistake that aged terribly.
6. Seattle SuperSonics Trade Scottie Pippen’s Rights (1987)
Seattle sent Scottie Pippen’s draft rights to Chicago for Olden Polynice and draft considerations. Polynice was serviceable; Pippen became a six-time champion and elite defender. The Bulls formed a dynasty. The Sonics faded into regret. It’s the kind of trade that reshapes both franchises forever.
The Luka Dončić Trade: A Cautionary Tale of Panic and Regret
In time, people will speak of the Luka trade the same way they speak of the Nets or Clippers deals — with disbelief. It’s not just about the names involved; it’s about what they symbolize. When teams panic, they often make history for the wrong reasons.
And in the long ledger of NBA missteps, the Luka Dončić trade will always occupy a painful, unforgettable place among the worst.
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