It has been two weeks since the momentous trade involving the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that has left many in disbelief. Crucially, the swap of Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis would not have been possible without the involvement of the Utah Jazz. As the third participant in this transaction, the Jazz successfully acquired Jalen Hood-Schifino along with a pair of second-round draft picks.

When the trade was initially announced, it shocked everyone. Personally, I attempted to analyze it from multiple angles pertaining to Dallas, hoping to find some logical justification for what many viewed as a baffling decision. As time has passed, however, no convincing explanation has surfaced. The trade appears to have been an ill-advised move by the Mavericks—something even Jazz GM Justin Zanik acknowledges.

“Clearly, [Lakers GM] Rob Pelinka mentioned in the introduction of Luka that it was essentially a gift,” remarked Zanik recently. “I believe many of my colleagues share a similar sentiment.”

“However, [Mavs GM] Nico [Harrison] and the team have their own strategies. They aimed to bolster their defense and felt it was in their best interest to acquire a top-15 player like Davis,” he added.

“This trade has undoubtedly reshaped the landscape of the Western Conference,” Zanik noted. “Once we start climbing the standings alongside these teams, perhaps my enthusiasm about being the third party in this deal will change. If we were in contention for the playoffs right now, I’d certainly be questioning both Harrison and Pelinka about their decision-making.”

To put it succinctly, Zanik, like many others, believes the deal was undeniably bizarre, to the extent that he wouldn’t have consented to being part of it had the Jazz still been competitive. Nonetheless, with Utah in a position to acquire Hood-Schifino and two future picks with minimal cost, the opportunity was too good to pass up.

While he was cautious about overstepping, Zanik’s comments reveal that his fellow NBA executives shared a similar reaction to the trade. The Mavericks essentially handed the Lakers a remarkable 25-year-old talent, all in exchange for one of the league’s most frequently injured stars, who is also seven years Doncic’s senior.

Though Zanik is diplomatic in his portrayal, it’s evident what he truly thinks about the trade. Harrison and the Mavericks are left to grapple with the possibility that they made a colossal mistake, with repercussions that may linger long after Harrison’s tenure ends.