Dallas Basketball

Red Sox trade compared to Mavs shipping Luka Doncic to Lakers

Two of the most heartbreaking trades in recent memory happened within a few months of each other.

Keenan Womack

Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts while watching a tribute video before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts while watching a tribute video before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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A recent blockbuster MLB deal between the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants involving superstar infielder Rafael Devers has drawn comparisons to the infamous Los Angeles Lakers-Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic trade, with the Giants serving as the beneficiary of an extremely confusing swap of a young star in exchange for diminishing returns.

The likeness becomes more obvious when one looks at the details: Devers was a multiple-time All-Star at just 28 years old who was considered the best offensive player on his team. Doncic was a five-time All-NBA player who led his team to the NBA Finals the season before, behind his flamethrower offensive ability. Both are the kind of athletes who can elevate a franchise to championship heights.

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Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers
Jun 7, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers (11) follows through on a double against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Red Sox and Mavericks find themselves in very similar positions with their fanbases, both of whom were and are rightfully upset with their franchise's decision-making. Each player represented a fanbase's hopes, which were disregarded without proper explanation or second thought.

Though the returns were a bit different, as Dallas received Anthony Davis and Max Christie, and Boston received some prospects, the sentiment was the same, especially amongst each organization's faithful. Questions arose about the aptitude of each front office, and how rare it is to find talents of that caliber.

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Devers has averaged .274 this season with 15 home runs, 59 runs batted in, and an OPS of .907, which are once again All-Star numbers. Doncic put up his own impressive stat line of 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game while shooting 45% from the field and 37% from three.

It's very unlikely that either Boston or Dallas overcomes the trade anytime soon in the eyes of their fans, but at least the Mavericks landed the top-overall pick in the NBA Draft to help settle tensions. Overall, the jarring trades show that a player's on-field impact is not the only thing that matters to fans: they become attached to a player's development within the organization.

In general, these trades typically don't favor the team that parted with their young talent.

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Keenan Womack
KEENAN WOMACK

Keenan Womack is a sportswriter native to Dallas, Texas, who has spent the last 12 years in Austin, the home of his alma mater, the University of Texas. Keenan has covered sports for SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Rivals/Orangebloods, a host of his own sites and now, Fan Nation. Focusing on basketball, Keenan was on the beat for the Longhorns hoops team for the last two-and-a-half years before moving on to pursue other opportunities. He is married and lives with his wife close to the Moody Center, so they can continue to catch games together.

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