Dallas Basketball

Luka Doncic trade to Lakers compared to Saquon Barkley joining the Eagles

The Luka Doncic trade received a Saquon Barkley comparison after being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kade Kimble|
Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

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Dallas Mavericks

The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and the landscape of the league for the future has now been shaken up as the Dallas Mavericks dealt Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

While Anthony Davis is now in the DFW while looking to be in great form in his Mavericks debut, despite suffering an injury late in the game, trading a generational superstar and franchise talent at 25-years-old is a mistake, simply put.

Doncic now joins the most popular NBA franchise and will enjoy his prime years in the largest market in the league, while the Mavericks have shortened their championship window exponentially.

There is a very solid chance Dallas will regret this trade for years to come. Doncic could very well be a multi-time MVP winner and be one of the generation-defining players. He will do so in a Lakers jersey, now, not in a Mavericks jersey.

Luka Doncic
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts watching game action against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Hip-hop artist Flavor Flav made a very solid comparison to the magnitude of the trade, drawing an NFL comparison.

"The Saquon Barkley trade from the Giants to the Eagles," Flavor Flav said. "And right now, the Giants are sick to their stomachs because Saquon Barkley got traded to the Eagles, and now they are going to the Super Bowl. I think he could have carried the Giants to the Super Bowl."

While Barkley left the Giants in free agency, the message still holds. New York didn't offer what Barkley was worth, whereas the Eagles did. Now they are in the Super Bowl.

Doncic led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season. He could do the same for the Lakers in the near future, and if he does, Dallas fans will be sick to their stomachs, just like Giants fans are right now.

READ MORE: Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo could miss games vs. Mavericks

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Kade Kimble
KADE KIMBLE

Kade has been covering a wide variety of teams ranging from the NFL to the NBA and college athletics since joining Sports Illustrated's FanNation in 2022.

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