The entire NBA landscape changed on Saturday night, as in a surprise blockbuster move the Dallas Mavericks traded their franchise player, superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. 
Upon hearing the news, many suspected that perhaps Doncic requested the trade, as it otherwise makes little sense to trade a 25 year old who is a perennial MVP contender and just took his team to the NBA Finals.
NBA insider Marc Stein reports to the contrary, however.
"Luka Dončić did NOT request a trade, league sources tell @TheSteinLine. The Mavericks did this on their own accord, getting back Anthony Davis but only one future first-round pick from the Lakers in 2029 for a 25-year-old regarded as a future MVP." Stein posted on X.
So who did know? The joke going around the sports world is that another general manager in Dallas – Cowboys boss Jerry Jones – is to blame.
Mavs fans don’t likely see the humor here … while Cowboys fans view it as “gallows humor” at best.
Doncic and the Mavericks were previously working on a record-setting five-year, $345 million contract extension. … but Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison balked and called the audible to trade Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for Davis.
The Mavs went “cheap”? Yeah, enter more Jerry jokes.. 
The implication based on reports is that the Mavericks did not shop Doncic around the NBA, instead looking to trade him for Davis specifically.
The Mavs lost a trade? Yeah, enter still more Jerry jokes.
Doncic has been out since Christmas, but was averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game on the season.
Davis has missed the Lakers' last two contests, and is averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and over one steal and two blocks per contest.
Doncic will now be paired with LeBron James in Los Angeles, while Davis will be paired with former James teammate Kyrie Irving in Dallas.
The Lakers are currently fifth in the Western Conference with a 28-19 record, meanwhile the Mavericks are eighth, with a 26-23 record.
And the Cowboys? They get to take a day off from the usual intense scrutiny.
