When the Lakers traded for Luka Dončić in the wee hours of Feb. 2, the immediate thought was that it was a fake report. After a few minutes and confirmation, reality set in, and the next immediate question that swirled in the wake of perhaps the most shocking trade in NBA history was why would the Dallas Mavericks trade Dončić?

The body, the publicity, the determined look in his eyes, the sweat reflecting the spotlights, it’s all part of Dončić’'s bigger plan.