Minutes after Harrison traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and one future first-round pick, he was quoted on his reasoning for doing the deal. Additional explanations continued to spill out in the days following the trade,

Doncic will lead the Lakers as one of the best players in the NBA for a long time, but the team's championship window with LeBron James won't last much longer. James is tied for the most seasons played in NBA history,

Donte DiVincenzo's ninth point of the game just before halftime exposed a weakness that Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert picked at during almost the entire first half — the lack of a proven, frontline big man to help out Doncic and LeBron James.