Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison may never hear the end of criticism from the Dallas fanbase following the trade of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, but the animosity is misguided, NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton says.

NBA legend Gary Payton had a unique take on the Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic trade. Payton claimed that Nico Harrison is unjustly blamed for the trade, as it was not his decision, but this is far from the truth.

Dallas Mavericks and Nico Harrison took the bold step of trading Luka Doncic to LA Lakers in February 2025 in exchange for Anthony Davis.

Luka Dončić may have taken some of the criticisms about his diet and conditioning habits to heart in the time since the Los Angeles Lakers season ended.

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic attended a Real Madrid basketball game and he appears to be in great shape.

Luka Doncic appears to have been hard at work after the Lakers' elimination, as he looks to have slimmed down.