But the biggest example, by far, is still Dallas. The Mavericks were so worried that a supermax contract for Dončić would be an example of paying the wrong guy that they opted to pay Anthony Davis instead, even though Dončić led them to the NBA Finals last year and is unquestionably one of the league’s five best players when at full strength.

NBA trade frenzy has started well before Thursday's 3 p.m. ET deadline, as All-NBA players Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis and De'Aaron Fox have already found new destinations. The Los Angeles Lakers' acquisition of Doncic will go down as one of the most shocking and consequential trades in NBA history.