This is exactly right. Up until that point, the assets in/out was very much in favor of the Mavs, even with Brunson leaving. He built the roster to win a championship with a healthy Doncic. And then to trade him for maybe half what he’s worth?
Look, I don’t normally do conspiracy theories. I realize the Mavs now have the best (if healthy) front court in the league by far with Gafford/Lively, PJ and Davis, and Max Christie is developing into a legit allstar level player. But considering the impact on the future, and I mean two years out, not 5-10, and the current market, the Mavs should have gotten at least two more first round picks, AND Knecht AND probably Reaves on top of it.
There are a lot of reasons for Nico and the Adelsons to do the deal as they did it. None of them have to do with the long term viability of the team as a championship contender in the city of Dallas.
Of course the other possibility is that Nico really doesn’t believe that Luka will ever be that guy, and was willing to lose the trade to get rid of him.