Dallas Mavericks · Franchise era 5 of 5
The Luka era: the Dallas Mavericks story
The story in one sentence
Dončić immediately became an offensive engine, leading Dallas to the 2024 Finals before the franchise made another dramatic change of direction.
A new heliocentric superstar
Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and Jalen Brunson gave the era its recognizable core.
Its final meaning is still being written.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 2018–19
What came before
Dallas cycled through short-term casts around Nowitzki while protecting the continuity of his record-setting career.
- 07TradeJune 21, 2018
June 21, 2018
The draft-night swap that linked Luka and Trae forever
Dallas moved up for the prospect it believed could lead a franchise. Atlanta moved down two spots, secured its preferred point guard and added another first.
To DAL
To ATL20191STround assetLuka–Trae draft swapDAL receives Rights: Luka Dončić · No. 3ATL receives Rights: Trae Young · No. 5, Protected 2019 Dallas first3 original assets · 2 outcomes tracedOpen trade → 2022
Western Conference Finals: Dallas Mavericks vs Golden State Warriors
2024
Western Conference Finals: Dallas Mavericks vs Minnesota Timberwolves
2024
NBA Finals: Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics
Still unfolding
Where the story stands
This chapter remains active, so its final place in franchise history is still being written.
The core