In February 2025, the blockbuster trade between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers sent shockwaves through the NBA when Luka Doncic, the Slovenian superstar, was traded for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. This deal was considered one of the most shocking in league history, not only due to the value of the players involved but also because of the utter surprise, as no other team was informed that Doncic was available for trade. Among those teams, the Chicago Bulls were reportedly willing to do anything to acquire the 26-year-old star, according to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times.
Chicago Bulls Were Ready to Sacrifice Everything
According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Bulls Executive Vice President Arturas Karnisovas and his management team were prepared to offer any player on their roster to secure Luka Doncic if they had known he was available. A source stated, “Karnisovas and his group would have put anyone and everyone on the table if they knew the Mavericks were open to moving Luka.” However, the harsh reality was that Dallas never publicly signaled their intent to trade Doncic, leaving the Bulls and other teams without a chance to join the race for the superstar’s signature.
The Chicago Bulls, a team mired in mediocrity in recent years, were desperate for a superstar like Doncic to change their franchise’s trajectory. With a player regarded as one of the NBA’s most exceptional talents, acquiring Doncic could have helped the Bulls escape their “middle-of-the-pack” status and return to the glory days of Michael Jordan. However, the report also noted that even if the Bulls had the opportunity to make an offer, their trade package would likely have fallen short of what the Lakers provided, which included Anthony Davis—a top-tier big man in the league.
Why the Bulls Couldn’t Compete
Despite the Bulls’ willingness to “sacrifice everything,” their roster at the time lacked the high-value assets that could have enticed Dallas. Beyond Matas Buzelis and Coby White—two young players with significant potential—the Bulls didn’t have much to offer that would interest the Mavericks. Zach LaVine, another prominent name on the Bulls’ roster, had already been involved in a three-team trade with the Sacramento Kings, indicating that even he wasn’t an appealing option for Dallas. With the Mavericks focused on building a roster around Anthony Davis and prioritizing defensive capabilities, players like LaVine likely didn’t align with their philosophy.
Moreover, NBA salary cap rules and roster constraints made the Bulls’ “all-in” plan difficult to execute. While their intentions were clear, the actual value of the roster they could offer wasn’t competitive enough to match the Lakers’ package, which included a superstar like Davis and additional assets.
Luka Doncic: The NBA’s Shocker
The Luka Doncic trade wasn’t just shocking because of its secrecy but also due to his immense impact on both Dallas and the NBA. Doncic, who led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024, was seen as the heart and soul of the team and one of Dallas’s biggest sporting icons. The Mavericks’ decision to part ways with him in February, less than a year after that success, left fans furious. Many believed that General Manager Nico Harrison didn’t do enough to secure a better trade package, settling for Davis, Christie, and a single first-round pick.
For the Lakers, however, Doncic was a golden opportunity. Despite giving up Anthony Davis, they acquired a superstar in his prime who could become the face of the franchise after LeBron James retires. However, Doncic’s transition to Los Angeles wasn’t entirely smooth. He admitted to being “mentally exhausted” after the trade and had to adjust to a new environment where he was no longer the sole focal point of the team. Despite averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists during snafu the regular season with the Lakers, Doncic and the team were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, raising questions about his future with the organization.
The Bulls’ Missed Opportunity
The Chicago Bulls’ readiness to offer “anything” for Luka Doncic highlights their ambition to reshape their roster and aim for a brighter future. However, not being informed of Doncic’s availability meant they missed a golden opportunity to change the course of their franchise. In the secretive world of NBA blockbuster trades, the Bulls weren’t the only team left out—reports suggest that 28 other teams would have jumped at the chance to make an offer for Doncic had they known he was on the market.
Currently, Luka Doncic stands at a crossroads in his career. He is eligible to sign a contract extension with the Lakers this summer, potentially worth up to $228 million over four years—a figure significantly lower than the $345 million supermax deal he could have signed with the Mavericks. Nevertheless, sources indicate that Doncic is “fully committed” to the Lakers and is likely to stay with the team, despite the early