The most charitable possible explanation for the Luka Dončić trade -- and this was already a stretch -- was that it improved the team's short-term prospects. Nico Harrison told us as much when he said,

Nico Harrison and The Dallas Mavericks shocked the world on the night of February 1st. It may be time to shock again this offseason by trading Anthony Davis less than 6 months after trading Luka Doncic for him.

The Dallas Mavericks say Anthony Davis's injury is improving every day, but it's not clear when he will return to the court.