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Dallas Mavericks traded away a player who plays ‘exactly like Luka Doncic,’ and it’s a problem

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aikansh Chaudhary | Last updated May 28, 2025 3:12 PM ET

Former NBA player compares traded Dallas Mavericks star to Luka Doncic.

There’s no doubt that Luka Doncic is a generational talent and a prime contender to be the next face of the NBA.

Considering he already has a stacked resume at just 26 years old, one would assume he is an untouchable asset, right? But the Dallas Mavericks thought differently as they traded him to the LA Lakers.

However, this isn’t the first time that the Mavs have traded a player like Luka, claimed former NBA player Channing Frye.

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Channing Frye claims Jalen Brunson has the same playing style as Luka Doncic

Despite being down 3-1 against the Indiana Pacers, it’s hard to deny Jalen Brunson’s amazing run in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

In fact, it has made many Mavs fans sad as the franchise had both Brunson and Doncic on the roster until 2022.

Speaking of Brunson, former NBA player Channing Frye recently claimed that the Knicks star has a similar playing style to Doncic.

“I like Brunson, he just play like Luka. Luka and Brunson play like exactly the same. That’s not really a hot-take,” Frye claimed, via the Road Trippin’ podcast.

He added: “Sometimes he hijacks the offense. Everybody sees it. We’ve seen this happen with Luka, he’s great offensively, but at times defensively, traffic cone, we’ve seen that.”

But Frye wasn’t done as he further criticized the duo, stating: “And at times we’ve seen when he’s tried to navigate the gameplay chess, he takes a long time dribbling and everybody stands up.

“Brunson and Luka are the same style player.”

Brunson and Doncic share a brotherly bond

Doncic and Brunson joined the Mavericks in the same year and spent their formative years in the NBA together in Dallas.

Although Brunson wasn’t the star he is today when he was a Maverick, the 3x NBA All-Star holds Doncic in the utmost respect.

It was evident from what Brunson said about his bond with the now-LA Lakers superstar.

“That’s my brother. We got drafted together. I’ve been watching him grow since meeting him for the first time, seeing the player he is now.

“He’s gotten better and better each year to the point where he’s a top-five [NBA] player, an MVP candidate, year in and year out, so whenever I get a chance to share the court with him, either with him or against him, it’s always been special. I’ve got nothing but love for him,” Brunson said.

It’s great to see that the two former stars share an excellent relationship despite no longer being teammates.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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