T he Boston Celtics longtime rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, drastically altered the course of the NBA before the trade deadline expired, landing star guard Luka Doncic from the Da

However, it landed Mark Williams, a viable frontcourt asset, Dorian Finney-Smith, a serviceable two-way wing, and Luka Doncic, a remarkably gifted superstar guard. Still, Los Ange

Doncic, who had dragged an otherwise unremarkable Mavericks team through the Western Conference, became the face of their failure. Dallas coach Jason Kidd was forced to come out and defend his maligned star, even though without Doncic, the Mavericks were a faded Kyrie Irving and a bunch of role players.