Victor Wembanyama acknowledged that Dallas Mavericks followers are nonetheless coming to phrases with the stunning commerce that despatched Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, however he believes the Mavs can nonetheless contend for an NBA title.
The San Antonio star, generally known as Wemby, can also be processing the commerce, which occurred two weeks in the past, sending five-time All-Star Doncic to LA in change for ahead Anthony Davis, who received a title with the Lakers in 2020.
“I’ve watched games of both the Lakers and Mavs since it happened,” Wembanyama mentioned in Oakland forward of the All-Star Game in San Francisco. “What really strikes me is how the Mavs’ fans are hurting, how they feel. It was a really strong emotion.”
However, Wembanyama is assured that Dallas can nonetheless compete at a excessive degree. “I think the Mavs are still contenders. The Lakers are contenders. It’s very competitive. They traded for very good players.”
In addition to Doncic, the Lakers additionally acquired ahead Maxi Kleber and middle Markieff Morris within the deal.
The Mavericks obtained 31-year-old Davis, who is predicted to overlook a number of weeks with an adductor harm, guard Max Christie, and a future first-round draft decide.
Guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and a future second-round decide had been additionally despatched to the Utah Jazz.
Some Mavericks followers have loudly protested the bewildering commerce of a generational expertise who led Dallas to the Finals final season.
“It’s interesting. We’ll see how it goes,” Wembanyama mentioned. “But two weeks later, it’s still the craziest trade I’ve ever seen.”
The Mavericks take a 30-26 report into the All-Star break, good for eighth place within the Western Conference, whereas the 32-30 Lakers are in fifth.
Reigning league MVP Nikola Jokic mentioned the commerce might find yourself being good for all concerned however went out of his technique to reward Doncic.
“I kind of think both teams win,” he advised reporters. “I think Luka is a generational player, a generational talent. I’m not saying that AD is not. I’m just saying that Luka – have we seen someone like him before? Who is affecting the game on so many levels, so many possessions? And he was building something there.”
Doncic was sidelined with accidents through the first half of the season, inflicting the sharpshooting guard to overlook out on making the All-Star workforce this 12 months.
Jokic, who hails from Serbia, mentioned he’ll miss the Slovenian’s presence at All-Star weekend.
“It’s weird because we always have a good night before the game,” Jokic mentioned.
Source: www.dailysabah.com