The initial reaction of many, especially Mavericks fans, to Dallas's blockbuster trade of superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a three-team deal was shock. Many of those same people were also perplexed at the fact that the Mavericks seemingly eschewed any long-term visions of the future with the 25-year-old Doncic for a more short-term vision with the 31-year-old Davis.

Many were puzzled by what Dallas received in sending its generational superstar to Los Angeles, including longtime NBA executives.