Harrison: Davis a key part to Mavericks' 'vision,' 'culture' - ESPN

CLEVELAND — Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison emphasized the importance of «culture» in explaining his stunning decision to trade 25-year-old superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package headlined by 31-year-old All-Star big man Anthony Davis.

«As we turn the page, I think it's important to know that [Jason Kidd] and I, we've had a vision and the culture that we want to create since we've been here,» Harrison said before Sunday's road game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. «The players that we're bringing in we believe exemplify that. We think defense wins championships, and we're bringing in one of the best two-way players in the league.»

The Mavericks and Lakers finalized the three-way deal that the Utah Jazz helped facilitate around midnight Saturday night. The Mavericks will also receive promising third-year wing Max Christie and the Lakers' 2029 first-round draft pick while sending injured big man Maxi Kleber and reserve veteran forward Markieff Morris to Los Angeles along with Doncic.

The reaction throughout the league and the team, however, was shock that Dallas would part ways with a five-time first-team All-NBA selection who is still approaching his prime, particularly only months after Doncic led the Mavs to the NBA Finals.

«Well, let's be clear: I'm the one making the decision and [Kidd]'s supportive of it, so it's me,» said Harrison, who has made major trades before the deadline in each of his four years as Mavericks GM. «I don't do anything that's scary. I think everything that we do, we put a lot of work into it, we study it and we re-study it and we go back. I understand the magnitude of it.

»So, the easiest thing for me to do is do nothing, and everyone would praise me for