In a revealing piece titled “The Luka Dončić Trade — My Perspective as an Ex-Mavericks Analytics Staffer Who Spent Two Years Pushing to Trade Him,” Jerry Engelmann sheds light on the internal dynamics and decision-making processes that led to the controversial trade of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Engelmann’s insights provide a unique look into the workings of the Mavericks’ front office during a pivotal time for the franchise. Engelmann, who worked with the Mavericks’ analytics team, describes his time overlapping with Nico Harrison’s first year as General Manager. He paints a picture of an organization struggling with internal communication and decision-making. According to Engelmann, Harrison surrounded himself with individuals who prioritized agreeing with him over providing genuine, critical feedback.
Per RoyceWebb.com
“In that time, I realized that Nico did not have a good grasp of which front-office members actually understood basketball,” Engelmann writes. “Nor was he able to comprehend that certain people just kept parroting what he was saying, with the goal to be liked by Nico and thus to be promoted.”
Engelmann argues that the trade of Dončić marks the culmination of these organizational issues. The trade, which sent Dončić to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick, has been met with widespread criticism from fans and analysts alike. He suggests that the lack of critical voices in the front office contributed to the decision.
“With critical voices drowned out and only sycophants rising up the ranks, the people now close to Nico weren’t the type that would provide any pushback on this historically awful trade idea,” Engelemann states.
Engelmann’s article serves as a call for introspection and change within the Mavericks’ organization. He emphasizes the need for a diverse range of opinions and a culture that values genuine feedback over mere agreement.
“This trade marks the culmination of those developments,” Engelmann concludes. “The Mavericks’ franchise is paying for it.”
