The Luka Dončić Trade That Shook the NBA & the 2029 Draft Prospects Who Could Define Its Legacy
How the Mavericks’ Franchise-Altering Trade Ties Into a Draft Class That’s Still in Ninth Grade
The Trade That Shook the NBA
Luka Dončić is a Los Angeles Laker. Anthony Davis is a Dallas Maverick. And somewhere, a ninth-grader who was probably playing video games on Saturday night just became part of one of the biggest trades in NBA history.
There are NBA moments that feel seismic—LeBron’s Decision, Kevin Durant joining the Warriors, Kawhi’s bouncing buzzer-beater. This trade belongs in that category. And like all major NBA moments, I’ll never forget where I was when I first heard the news.
Finding Out Luka Was Gone
I was asleep.
Not exactly the way you’d expect to find out about one of the biggest trades of all time, but that’s how it happened. I had just put my 2-year-old son to bed—who, ironically, is already a die-hard Mavericks fan. He fell asleep, I dozed off next to him, and then my Apple Watch started buzzing like crazy.
I ignored it. Didn’t want to wake him up.
Eventually, I carried him to his bed and checked my phone. That’s when I saw the message in all caps:
LUKA DONCIC TRADED TO THE LAKERS.
At first, I thought it was a joke. I even went to check some college box scores before fully processing what had just happened. But once I realized it was real, I didn’t sleep again until Sunday night. I spent hours listening to every podcast, reading every take, trying to wrap my head around how the Mavericks just traded away a 25-year-old, five-time All-NBA superstar months after he led them to the Finals.
Dallas’ Return: Enough or Not?
On paper, the Mavericks didn’t exactly walk away empty-handed. Anthony Davis is an elite defensive anchor and, when healthy, still one of the NBA’s best two-way bigs. Max Christie is a promising young 3-and-D wing. But one first-round pick?
That was shocking.
Considering what other stars have gone for—Rudy Gobert, Mikal Bridges, and just recently, De’Aaron Fox—it’s surprising that Dallas didn’t get more draft capital. And that lone first-round pick won’t even convey until 2029.
Which led me down an entirely different rabbit hole.
The 2029 NBA Draft: A Key Piece in the Luka Trade
The Mavericks’ long-term future now hinges, at least partially, on a ninth-grader who has no idea he was just linked to one of the biggest trades in NBA history.
It feels ridiculous to talk about the 2029 NBA Draft, but that future first-round pick is a real asset. While I don’t have a complete grasp on the 2028 high school class just yet—after all, they’re only freshmen—I’ve already started tracking prospects and taking notes on players who could emerge as potential one-and-done candidates. I’m fully aware that this list is fluid and will almost certainly change over the next few years, months, and even weeks as players develop and new names rise to the forefront.
But as things stand today, here are some of the prospects the Mavericks might have their eye on for that franchise-altering 2029 pick.
Erick Dampier, Jr. | 6’10” | C | Madison, MS
If the name sounds familiar, it should. Erick Dampier, Jr. is the son of longtime NBA center Erick Dampier, who played 16 seasons in the league and was the starting center for the Mavericks in the 2006 Finals.
Dampier Jr. is already a force. Listed at 6’10”, 230 pounds, with a 7’0” wingspan, he averaged a double-double as an eighth-grader playing varsity at Madison-Ridgeland Academy. He’s physically dominant, plays with an edge, and has good coordination for his size. Right now, he’s at his best as a rim protector and interior scorer, showing soft touch on a left-shoulder baby hook that’s nearly automatic at the high school level.
But don’t mistake him for a slow, plodding, back-to-the-basket big. Dampier Jr. is a man-child who plays with a modern skill set. He can bring the ball up the floor, handle in transition, and has surprising quickness for his size. He’s fluid, light on his feet, and has real vertical pop, allowing him to be an explosive finisher around the rim. While he’s already physically dominant at this level, his combination of size, agility, and skill makes him a fascinating long-term prospect.
Kameron Mercer | 6’5” | G | Huntington, WV
Widely considered the No. 1 player in the 2028 class, Mercer is a 6’5” lefty guard with a massive 6’10” wingspan who plays at Huntington Prep. He originally played on the wing throughout middle school due to his size, but as he’s grown and developed his ball-handling, he has shifted into more of a lead guard role. That said, he has the skill set and versatility to play all three perimeter positions, making him an intriguing long-term prospect.
Mercer is a downhill force—aggressive, physical, and relentless at attacking the rim. He thrives in isolation, draws fouls at a high rate, and has the frame to absorb contact and finish through defenders. His combination of size, strength, and will makes him nearly impossible to stay in front of at this level. He’s also shown flashes as a shooter, particularly off the catch, which could unlock even more of his offensive game.
Physically, Mercer already looks like a college freshman. His wingspan gives him real defensive upside, as he’s able to disrupt passing lanes, contest shots, and guard multiple positions. Despite being just a ninth-grader, he already plays with the physicality and maturity of an older prospect, which is why he’s viewed as the early favorite to be the top player in his class.
Adan Diggs | 6’5” | SG | Gilbert, AZ
One of the most polished scorers in the 2028 class, Diggs is a crafty shot-maker with a deep offensive bag. He already has high-major offers rolling in and has caught the attention of NBA scouts after a strong showing at USA Basketball’s October Minicamp.
Diggs is a true three-level scorer with a smooth, effortless jumper and a deep arsenal of pull-ups, pump fakes, and hesitations. He’s got a slick handle that allows him to get wherever he wants on the court, and he’s especially dangerous as a pull-up shooter off the bounce. Right now, he’s a better shooter off the dribble than off the catch, but his mechanics suggest he could develop into one of the better shooters in his high school class over time.
While he’s naturally wired to score, Diggs is also a good connective passer. He makes smart, unselfish plays, routinely advancing the ball in transition and finding open teammates. He’s also a good athlete with the ability to play both on and off the ball and with his blend of skill, scoring instincts, and positional size, it’s no surprise that NBA scouts are already tracking his development closely.
Quinton Wilson | 6’3” | G | Lakeland, FL
Quinton Wilson is an elite vertical athlete and one of the most electrifying players in the 2028 class. At 6’3”, 165 pounds, he’s a bouncy, high-flying guard who plays with flair and explosiveness. He’s the type of player you watch in warm-ups and immediately know he’s special—you can’t take your eyes off him, just waiting to see what he’ll do in live game action.
But Wilson isn’t just flash and athleticism—he’s a legitimate shot-maker. He has a shifty handle with some shake-and-bake to his game, allowing him to create offense for himself or others. His ability to break down defenses off the dribble makes him a weapon, both as a scorer and a passer.
His best work comes when he’s attacking the rim, where he uses his explosiveness to finish above or around defenders. He’s already a dangerous transition finisher, but he’s also flashed the ability to knock down perimeter shots, which would take his game to another level.
Physically, Wilson’s frame still has plenty of room to fill out, but even at his current build, his burst, ball-handling, and ability to generate offense make him a name to remember in the 2028 class.
Bentley Lusakueno | 6’9” | F | Atlanta, GA
Among long-term upside prospects, Bentley Lusakueno might be the most intriguing name on this list. A 6’9”, 180-pound forward from the Atlanta area, Lusakueno has length, mobility, and fluid athleticism that fit the mold of a modern NBA big. NBA scouts have already taken notice of him, with his name buzzing after an impressive showing at the USA Basketball October Minicamp.
Lusakueno’s value right now is as a play finisher—he thrives as a rim runner, transition weapon, and dunker spot scorer. He’s active on the glass, has a great motor, and rebounds well outside of his area. But what makes him so intriguing is his combination of size and mobility. He moves like a big wing, covering ground effortlessly and playing with a natural fluidity that hints at untapped versatility.
Physically, he’s still filling out—at 6’9”, 180 pounds, he’s far from fully developed. But he’s already showing glimpses of an expanded offensive game. He has soft touch around the rim, and while he’s currently more of an interior presence, he’s flashed the ability to knock down threes and space the floor. His defensive potential is also significant—his motor, athleticism, and rim protection instincts stood out at the USA camp, where scouts took note of his ability to compete, protect the paint, and play with fire on both ends.
At this stage, Lusakueno is far from a finished product, but his length, athleticism, and emerging skill set make him a must-watch prospect over the next few years.