The Dallas Mavericks shook up the NBA with a blockbuster trade, sending Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round pick.
Behind the scenes, another huge move reportedly was brewing as the Mavericks pursued Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant right up until the trade deadline.
However, they could not pull off the deal.
“I was told that the Mavericks were very aggressive, as recently as Wednesday, trying to find other teams to get involved so they could make the math work and bring Kevin Durant to Dallas,” SNY insider Ian Begley said, via NBACentral.
The Dallas Mavericks were very aggressive in exploring pathways to acquire Kevin Durant, per @IanBegley
(🎥 @sny_knicks )
pic.twitter.com/cGDmxQrwTl
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 6, 2025
The prospect of pairing Durant with Kyrie Irving would have electrified fans, but completing such a deal presented major hurdles.
The Mavericks found themselves short on draft assets, and making the financial aspects work would have required some creative maneuvering.
The Durant trade buzz intensified when the Suns announced he would sit out against the Oklahoma City Thunder with an ankle sprain.
Though the Golden State Warriors emerged as potential suitors, Durant reportedly had no interest in returning to his former team.
With the Warriors out of contention and time running out on deadline day, the Suns ultimately decided to keep Durant.
NEXT: Colin Cowherd Reveals What He Heard About Luka Doncic Trade
