Rob Pelinka thanks the Dallas Mavericks and calls Mavs GM Nico Harrison, “instrumental” in the trade negotiations. When have you ever seen a sports executive publicly thank the other team’s representative like this?

Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison have been friends for many years. They were introduced to each other thanks to the late Kobe Bryant. Their friendship was instrumental in making probably the biggest and most shocking NBA trade in history.

If you were one of the countless NBA fans who thought that the Luka Doncic trade that went done late Saturday night/Sunday morning was a joke, you’re not alone. That’s exactly what Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka thought when Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison broached the subject with him.