Los Angeles Lakers shocked the whole NBA community when they landed the craziest deal: the Luka Doncic blockbuster trade that everyone did not expect.

Doncic, the previous franchise player of the Dallas Mavericks, was traded for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick in a three-team trade with the Utah Jazz.

But the guys behind this seismic shift—Dallas Mavericks team president Nico Harrison and Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka—made sure the deal was kept in complete secrecy so that no leak could damage their plans.

Why the Luka Doncic Trade Was Kept Secret

Luka Doncic Trade is the Most Unexpected Deal—NBA Execs 'Stunned' Luka Doncic Trade is the Most Unexpected Deal—NBA Execs 'Stunned'
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According to The Athletic, both front offices had strong reasons to keep negotiations under wraps. Harrison didn't want to upset Doncic in case the deal fell through, while Pelinka wanted to avoid giving rival teams a chance to make a stronger offer.

Though the Mavericks talked to at least one other team about a potential trade, only the Lakers reportedly made it as far as the final stages of negotiation.

Even the Utah Jazz, who facilitated the deal, didn't know Doncic was going to the Lakers until an hour before the final trade call. That is almost impossible to achieve in today's NBA, with a new leak coming out every five seconds and rumors constantly flying around.

NBA Executives Are Furious and Jealous at the Same Time

A new report from Ramona Shelburne and Tim MacMahon at ESPN says that several teams in the league are chafed that they never had a chance to make an offer for Doncic.

"Executives from around the league were both furious and jealous that the glitzy, star-driven Lakers had been the only team given an opportunity to bid for Doncic's services," the write-up said.

According to the reports, an unnamed Eastern Conference executive was stunned over the Doncic deal. Another Western Conference executive said that what he witnessed was "unfathomable."

Many executives, according to the story, feel that they were blindsided by the deal considering the status of the Slovenian as one of the league's brightest young superstars.

Harrison reportedly made an early decision to keep the talks quiet, fearing external pressure from Doncic's camp, the media, and Mavericks fans. The strategy worked—no distractions, no leaks, and no last-minute bidding wars.

Lakers and Mavericks May Have Different Objectives

Previously, LeBron James and Anthony Davis expressed disappointment over Lakers' lazy strategy ahead of the trade deadline. Little did they know that the upcoming trade would forever change how fans see the future deals.

Because of this, the blockbuster deal raises big questions about the future of both franchises. The Lakers, with Doncic paired alongside LeBron James, have one of the most dynamic duos in NBA history. The Mavericks, meanwhile, are banking on Anthony Davis leading their team back to contention alongside Kyrie Irving.

While player loyalty and morale are always concerns in these types of major trades, winning tends to cure all ills. If either team wins a championship as a result of this trade, the secrecy involved will be remembered as a brilliant chess move rather than a controversial call.

It even came to the point that Davis knew that the Lakers badly needed a big man to help him in the paint. However, his vision for the team did not go as planned as he was the one who would be needed in another team.

One thing is for certain: this trade will be argued about for years.