The pieces are in place for this to be a very compelling NBA postseason, with a mix of a new guard as the top seeds in both the East and West while a repeat threat is more than real in Boston and the duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic try to go on a deep run to a title.

The Slovenian star enters his first postseason with the Lakers eager for big games. Minnesota will be his first challenge.

As a refresher, the Mavericks only received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick for a then 25-year-old five-time First-Team All-NBA selection, while players like Mikal Bridges have gone for five first-round picks. But there is one specific trade asset that the Mavericks didn't receive that Windhorst calls "malpractice."