Jimmy Butler Thinks Mavericks Hid Details About Luka Doncic's Lakers Trade: "There's Always More To It"

Jimmy Butler makes his feelings known on Luka Doncic's trade to the Lakers.

Months after the NBA was stunned by the news that the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers for a trade package centered around Anthony Davis, Jimmy Butler has spoken his mind on the matter in a social media post that has now gone viral. Just like the rest of the league, Butler admitted he was baffled to hear the news.

“I thought it was fake like everybody else. So did you. I don’t even have to ask. You know what I mean? It was like this guy got hacked or something. I just thought when you used the word ‘untradeable,’ ‘untouchable,’ you’d think Luka Doncic is one of those guys, honestly.”

“I don’t know, it doesn’t have too much to do with me, I’m still just, I was baffled by it. I’m still baffled by it. It just doesn’t look right. It's just… crazy."

The reporter followed up to ask Butler if he believed there were more details to the story than what the media knows and what meets the eye. Butler essentially guaranteed that either the Mavericks or Doncic is hiding details that the public still doesn't know about the trade.  

“There’s always more to it. Everybody else is always on the outside looking in, so you only know what you read, you only know what you read from socials. You don’t know what was really going on behind closed doors.”

“And everybody’s going to latch onto whatever narrative they want to believe and whatever clickbait is put out there. But there’s always more to these stories. I don’t know, I don’t know, but I can guarantee you there is more, and there’s always a reason behind everything. Do I know the reason? No.”

Butler knows a thing or two when it comes to controversial exits from a team. Years ago, he left the 76ers due to issues with the front office's decision to extend Tobias Harris over him. Most recently, he left the Heat to join the Warriors due to tension with the front office over his extension once again. 

Therefore, Butler knows that in such controversial situations, the public is never given the full details. The Warriors forward nearly found himself in the middle of the Luka Doncic drama back in February as both situations unfolded in the same month. 

According to reports, the Mavericks tried to trade for Jimmy Butler when they were looking to shop Luka Doncic, but the talks broke down eventually. 

Mavericks reportedly gave numerous reasons for trading Doncic, like issues with his fitness, concerns over his lack of effort on defense, among other reasons. Sources also suggested that the Mavericks did not want to pay Doncic the supermax contract, which could've potentially been $345 million when he would have been eligible for an extension after the end of the 2024-25 season.  

If Doncic had joined the Heat instead of the Lakers, the Eastern Conference could have become a lot more competitive than it is. But the Lakers' front office is clearly thanking their stars that Doncic landed with them. 

However, the question here always remains: is there something major that either of the two parties is not telling us? Let us know what you think in the comments section. 

Richard Sherman doubts J.J. McCarthy after Vikings' comeback at Bears, questions letting Sam Darnold leave

The former NFL All-Pro wonders if McCarthy can sustain 'high-level' play for Minnesota

Former All-Pro NFL cornerback Richard Sherman is not convinced the Vikings made the right decision this offseason after choosing J.J. McCarthy over Sam Darnold, who led the franchise to a 14-3 record and playoff appearance last fall before signing with the Seahawks in free agency.

While Sherman acknowledged McCarthy's strong second half during Monday night's season-opening comeback win over the Bears, he double-downed on a previous take in the game directed at the Vikings opting to not re-sign Darnold.

"Not sure JJ McCarthy is the Answer in Minnesota. This is the danger of letting the guy who you had success with walk for a guy you 'think' can do the job at a high level," Sherman wrote on "X" after the quarterback's interception in the third quarter was returned for a touchdown.

Several users called out Sherman's take following the Vikings' comeback, including one fan who said "this aged well," which summoned an immediate response from the former Seahawks star defensive back.

"Going to age just fine," Sherman wrote.

Trailing 17-6 entering the fourth quarter, McCarthy led the Vikings on three touchdown drives. He tossed scoring passes to Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones to give his team the lead before finishing off the Bears with a 14-yard touchdown rush on third down on a zone read keeper with 2:53 to play.

Sherman later said "there isn't anything to be impressed about" and questioned McCarthy's ability to process despite having "arguably the best play caller in the NFL setting him up for success."

After the 2024 first-round pick missed last season with a knee injury, McCarthy finished with 168 total yards of offense in his first NFL start. Coach Kevin O'Connell and the Vikings put faith in the former Michigan standout and McCarthy delivered on the road.

McCarthy said after the game that O'Connell told him at halftime he would lead the team back to a victory.

"That guy is one of the best -- if not the best -- coaches, in my opinion, in the National Football League," McCarthy said. "Any kind of compliments or belief like that, it means the world. That just gave me the confidence to go out there and just execute the ball plays and have a fast arm and make quick, decisive decisions. And it worked out."

McCarthy finished 13 of 20 for 143 yards.

"We don't win this game unless J.J. plays the way he did in the second half," O'Connell said. "Most importantly, he kept the belief of this football team behind him, and now, we know it's possible. You hope to not be in these circumstances very often. But this team's made of the right stuff."

To Sherman's point, Darnold threw for 4,319 yards last season and 35 touchdowns in his only campaign with the Vikings. However, after signing a three-year, $100 million deal in Seattle this spring, Darnold was held to 150 yards and no touchdowns during Sunday's 17-13 home loss to the 49ers in his Seahawks debut.