Before sending Doncic to the Lakers, Dallas reportedly inquired about a potential blockbuster trade with Minnesota, but the Timberwolves quickly shut it down.
The NBA trade landscape was shaken when Luka Doncic was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster move that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. However, before finalizing that deal, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison reportedly had another idea in mind-swapping Doncic for Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards.
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Dallas reached out to Minnesota weeks before the trade with the Lakers to gauge their interest in a potential Doncic-for-Edwards deal. The response? A swift rejection from the Timberwolves, who were reportedly stunned that the Mavericks were even considering parting ways with their franchise player.
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Anthony Edwards reacts to trade rumors
While the deal never materialized, the possibility of such a trade caught the attention of Anthony Edwards. Days after Doncic was officially traded to the Lakers, Edwards jokingly addressed the unpredictability of the NBA trade market.
I’m scared. Tim, if you’re going to trade me, let me know, dawg,” Edwards said, referring to Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly. “When Luka got traded, anybody is able to get traded.
His reaction reflects the shock that many around the league felt when the Mavericks decided to move on from Doncic. Despite Harrison publicly stating that the Lakers were the only team he seriously negotiated with, the reported inquiry about Edwards suggests that Dallas explored multiple options before committing to the deal with Los Angeles.
Doncic and Edwards face off after the trade
On Thursday night, Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards met on the court for the first time since the trade, with the Lakers securing a 111-102 victory over the Timberwolves. Doncic delivered a solid performance, finishing with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists. Meanwhile, Edwards posted 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists but also reached his 16th technical foul of the season, putting him in danger of a one-game suspension.
Since joining the Lakers, Doncic has averaged 19.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. The Lakers have gone 4-2 with him in the lineup, winning their last three games and solidifying their position as the fourth seed in the Western Conference with a 36-21 record.
While Doncic and Edwards ultimately stayed on different paths, the reported trade discussions highlight just how close the NBA came to witnessing a shocking superstar swap.