Trade Zion? Keep him? Cut him? New Orleans’ options ahead of the deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers were not allowed to talk to Luka Doncic’s agent, Bill Duffy, before they traded for him on Saturday, sources tell The Athletic. Because the Lakers could not gauge Doncic’s interest in remaining with the franchise long-term, they kept their 2031 first round pick out of their trade package. The Lakers felt trading both of their available future first round picks was too risky without an assurance from Doncic.

The Mavericks weighed that extra pick against the risk of the trade falling apart after word of it spread to Doncic with him potentially becoming disgruntled in the process. Dallas approached one other team on a Doncic trade for another star, but they only engaged with the Lakers on serious negotiations.

Sources tell The Athletic that Doncic is “ecstatic” about joining the Mavericks. Doncic will be introduced to the media on Tuesday morning. Doncic, however, wanted to spend his entire career with the Mavericks, according to sources. The Mavericks could have offered Doncic a five-year, $345 million extension this offseason and by all accounts he would have signed it.