In the latest episode of his podcast, “The Load Management,” Dwyane Wade shared his thoughts on the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. Wade’s perspective offers a unique take on the business side of the NBA and the implications of the trade.
Wade began by expressing his surprise, noting that he initially believed no players were involved in the decision-making process.
“Before all the reports came out, I said, no players were involved in this decision; this is billionaires’ business,” Wade said.
He emphasized that the trade was driven by the league’s owners and governors, rather than the players.
Wade highlighted the financial motivations behind the trade.
“This is amazing from the standpoint of the business of the game,” he remarked. He pointed out that Doncic was already a top jersey seller in Dallas, but his move to the Lakers is expected to boost his popularity even further. “Luka was number six in jersey sales in Dallas, Luka now shoots to number 1 in jersey sales with the Lakers,” Wade explained.
The trade’s impact on the international market was another point Wade discussed. With the NBA’s recent $25 billion TV deal, having Doncic, one of the top international players, in Los Angeles is seen as a strategic move to attract more viewership and ticket sales from Europe and Spain.
“Everybody, Europe, Spain, they’re all coming into LA,” Wade said.
Wade concluded by acknowledging the business acumen of the league’s billionaires.
“This was an amazing business decision by billionaires to say this is what I want for now, and this is what we need as a league,” he stated.
Wade believes that Doncic will benefit from being mentored by LeBron James and will continue to grow as the face of the NBA.
Wade’s statements provide a compelling analysis of the trade from a business perspective. He highlights the strategic financial decisions made by the league’s owners and underscores the trade’s potential to boost the NBA’s international market. His assessment sheds light on the complex dynamics between the business side of the NBA and player transactions.