The NBA witnessed a seismic shift two weeks ago when superstar Luka Dončić joined the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster three-team trade.
The Lakers immediately celebrated their prized acquisition, dubbing Dončić a “one-of-a-kind, young global superstar.”
The deal sent Anthony Davis and Max Christie to the Dallas Mavericks, along with a 2029 first-round pick, while Los Angeles strengthened their roster with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris.
The Utah Jazz also got in on the action, securing Lakers guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks in this year’s draft.
But according to former NBA star Tim Hardaway Sr., there’s more bubbling beneath the surface of this headline-grabbing trade.
Without delving into specifics, Hardaway suggests significant behind-the-scenes developments will eventually come to light.
“I’m gonna tell you, there is a lot going on there that’s going to come out. I’ve been hearing a lot of things – I’m not gonna say, I’m not gonna speculate, because I don’t know if they true or not, but I kind of think they are true, but, it’s a lot of stuff going on there,” Hardaway revealed.
“It’s a lot of stuff going on there that’s going to come out” 👀👀
Tim Hardaway Sr. talks to @TermineRadio and @TheFrankIsola about the Luka trade. pic.twitter.com/jWUUKILbAn
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) February 16, 2025
He drew parallels between trading Dončić and historic moves involving NBA legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, emphasizing the rarity of dealing a player of this caliber.
Yet the story behind Dončić’s departure might prove just as compelling as the trade itself.
Reports suggest the Mavericks harbored “major concerns” about Dončić’s future, particularly regarding his ongoing conditioning issues.
With Dončić eligible for a second super-max extension, Dallas appeared hesitant to make such a substantial long-term investment.
Mavericks president Nico Harrison offered a different perspective, citing defensive improvement as the primary motivation for the trade.
This explanation likely didn’t resonate with the Mavericks faithful, considering they received Davis in return – a player six years older than Dončić with a concerning injury history.
NEXT: Jazz GM Doesn’t Hold Back His Thoughts About Luka Doncic Trade
