Each week during the 2025-26 NBA season, we will take a deeper dive into some of the league’s biggest storylines in an attempt to determine whether trends are based more in fact or fiction moving forward.
Last week: The Chicago Bulls are for real
Fact or Fiction: We can still be mad about the Luka trade
The firing of Mavericks GM Nico Harrison, who controversially traded Luka Dončić to the Lakers, has sparked debate over whether the trade was one of the worst in NBA history, especially as Dončić thrives while the Lakers find success without LeBron. The Lakers’ ability to acquire Dončić for so little, while maintaining valuable assets, showcases a significant misstep by Harrison that has reshaped league dynamics.
