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Lakers Star Luka Doncic Continues to Prove Mavs Nico Harrison Was Right
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- Lakers Star Luka Doncic Continues to Prove Mavs Nico Harrison Was Right
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Luka Doncic continues to do his part to make Nico Harrison look like he made the right decision by trading him from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers this year.
When the Mavericks traded Doncic in February to a conference rival, the move was not just one of the most shocking in NBA history; it was one of the most stunning in the history of all sports. He is only 26 with five All-Star games, five first-team All-NBA honors, and three top-five finishes in MVP voting on his resume.
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While Mavs GM Nico Harrison got some solid talent and assets back, the trade was viewed as one-sided and foolish. However, Harrison moved the franchise great for one very specific reason: He did not trust that the Slovenian could stay healthy the rest of his career.
Despite his all-world talent, Doncic has played in 70 or more games just twice in his seven seasons before 2025-26. Last year, calf, ankle, and back injuries preceded the trade, then after landing in LA, Doncic was limited by groin and quadricep issues. In 2024-25, the young superstar played in a career low 50 games.
Luka Doncic contract: Three years, $161 million
Well, just a few games into his first full season in LaLa Land, Doncic is already dealing with issues that could sideline him for weeks. "Lakers' Luka Doncic is out for at least one week with a left finger sprain and lower left leg contusion," ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Sunday afternoon.
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So not only are his knees, which have been a problem for him in the past, bugging him in the new season, but he is also dealing with a simultaneous finger injury.
In the end, the Lakers should be the big winners in the Luka Doncic trade. However, in the summer, the Lakers gave him the three-year, $161 million extension Harrison feared forking over. If he can't stay healthy as the new face of the franchise, he will make what seemed like an absurd decision by Harrison seem less ridiculous as time passes.
It certainly doesn't help that Doncic could be sidelined for more than a week at a time when LeBron James is also injured and will be out until November.
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