NFL GM equates massive Luka Doncic trade to Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase for Buccaneers' Mike Evans

One of the biggest trades in NBA history has NFL fans, personalities and even general managers, scrambling to come up with a reasonable comparison in NFL terms.
Jan 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) reacts after a pass interference call during the second quarter of a NFC wild card playoff against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Jan 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) reacts after a pass interference call during the second quarter of a NFC wild card playoff against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The magnitude of the NBA trade conducted by the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers late Saturday evening can not be overstated.

Rarely, if ever, have we seen a superstar at the level of Luka Doncic traded. Let alone at just 25 years of age, more than likely still approaching the prime of his powers. The trade was so surprising, in fact, that most people doubted the legitimacy of the report when it was first shared by ESPN's most credible newsbreaker, Shams Charania.

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Charania, for the first time ever, even felt the need to confirm his own report shortly after he initially broke the news on X, stating "Yes, this is real.".

Understandably, not just NBA fans, but the entire sports world was sent into a frenzy trying to make sense of what was arguably the most significant trade in NBA history.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans (13) catches the ball during NFC Practice for the Pro Bowl Games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans (13) catches the ball during NFC Practice for the Pro Bowl Games. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Many NFL fans and media personalities took on the challenge of trying to compare the trade to a hypothetical exchange of NFL players in order to provide some context to those less familiar with the NBA superstars involved in the deal.

On Sunday morning, Jordan Schultz shared the perspective of an unnamed NFL GM on the trade.

“Imagine the Bengals shipping off Ja'Marr Chase to the Buccaneers for Mike Evans and a second-round pick.”

Of course, in this hypothetical scenario, the anonymous general manager who shared his opinion with Schultz is comparing Mike Evans to Anthony Davis, and Ja'Marr Chase to Luka Doncic.

It's not a bad comparison when you consider the fact that Davis remains one of the best players in the entire league at his position, despite being 31 years of age, just like Evans. On the other side, Ja'Marr Chase is not only significantly younger than Evans but viewed by most as a transcendent talent with many years of franchise-altering production ahead of him — just like Luka.


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Collin Haalboom
COLLIN HAALBOOM

Prior to joining BucsGameday and Sports Illustrated, Collin's written content was provided through Bucs Banter, and NFL Draft Lounge. He is also the creator and host of the Bucs Banter Podcast. He is a graduate of the Communication Studies program at McMaster University, where he was also a varsity basketball player, and later an advanced scout. He lives with his wife and two children in Hamilton, ON. You can follow Collin on YouTube and Twitter.