The Big Lead

Utah Jazz GM agrees with Rob Pelinka's subtle Luka Doncic mock directed at Mavericks GM

By Aikansh Chaudhary

Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka introduces guard Luka Doncic at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka introduces guard Luka Doncic at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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Every couple of decades, the NBA is blessed with a generational talent. The likes of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James are the perfect examples of generational talents.

European superstar Luka Doncic was viewed as someone who could be the next big thing in the NBA and the Dallas Mavericks were home to the 25-year-old.

Despite leading the team to an NBA Finals run last season, the Mavericks decided to trade Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in an unexpected move to the Los Angeles Lakers.

RELATED: How Mavericks GM Nico Harrison slowly pushed Luka Doncic out of the team

What's even more surprising is the fact that Mavs GM Nico Harrison reached out to Lakers GM Rob Pelinka to make the move. Even though a couple of weeks have passed since then, most fans still cannot believe Harrison's generational fumble.

As a result, many have mocked Harrison during the said time period, including Pelinka. The Lakers GM took a subtle jab at Harrison as he called Doncic a 'gift' during the 25-year-old's introductory press conference. Now, Utah Jazz GM Justin Zanik recently agreed with Pelinka's description of the move.

"Obviously, Rob Pelinka even said it in his press conference introducing Luka that it was a gift," Zanik said. "I think that's how a lot of my colleagues, I don't want to speak for them, but that's how we kind of felt."

There is no other way to describe it. This is one of those trades that will forever haunt the Dallas Mavericks fanbase.

At this point, the only thing that can appease the Mavs Nation is firing Harrison, but looking at the ownership's recent comments on Doncic's departure, it feels like the two are on the same page.

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