The Dallas Mavericks are two months removed from their decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. That’s all the Mavericks have to show for the Doncic trade after he carried them to the NBA Finals. While Davis is a high-level player and Christie has had some good moments, this is genuinely a laughable return for a player like Doncic.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst tore into the Mavericks for their failure at getting the Lakers to give them Austin Reaves when they made the Doncic trade in the first place.

“The Mavericks not getting austin Reaves in that treae is malpractice. Austin Reaves has been awesome in this last month, especially in this last week where LeBron hasn’t been as great. The fact Dallas didn’t get Austin Reaves in that trade is insane, and Reaves keeps proiving that night in and night out.”

Let’s not forget that the Lakers negotiated with the Mavericks’ GM, Nico Harrison, to get a discount. The Mavericks had initially asked for Dalton Knecht and also their 2031 first-round pick, but due to Nico badmouthing Luka’s health and habits, the Lakers refused to part with those assets. Harrison clearly wanted Luka gone and agreed with the offer without countering.

If the Mavericks couldn’t get Knecht and an extra pick, there is no way they could manage getting Reaves. They needed him as a replacement for Doncic anyway, with that need being heightened when Kyrie tore his ACL. If the Mavs had Reaves right now, they likely are also challenging for the top-six seeds in the West.

The Lakers have protected Reaves in trade talks for years. Even while making offers for guards like Kyrie Irving in 2023, the Lakers knew they couldn’t give up Reaves, as he’d be the perfect backcourt player for a star guard.

Reaves is averaging 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists this season. He’s averaged 21.2 points since Doncic joined the franchise, which shows why the Lakers were geniuses to retain Reaves. While it isn’t as prolific as the Luka-Kyrie relationship in Dallas, the elements of the same are spilling into the Luka-Reaves relationship in LA.

Doncic has a proven track record of elevating backcourt members, also doing so with Spencer Dinwiddie and Jalen Brunson in the past. Now that he’s doing it alongside Reaves, it’s allowed the former undrafted guard to become a genuine All-Star caliber name in the NBA.

Even if the Lakers wanted to move Reaves for a center or any frontcourt addition, they won’t be doing it anymore. There’s a clear sample size of how Reaves can thrive alongside Luka and LeBron, so ignoring that would be pointless for any other short-term additions.