3 Luka Doncic-Like Trades … for the Vikings

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Feb 4, 2025
Dec 19, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to pass while Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1) defends during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

The Dallas Mavericks rocked the NBA world on Saturday night, trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a single 1st-Round draft pick in 2029. The Lakers also received Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris.

3 Luka Doncic-Like Trades … for the Vikings

The deal stunned so many — at such a magnitude — that its degree of unprecedented scale and shock value may not be replicated … ever.

However, strictly in theory, if the Minnesota Vikings were to pull off such a trade, there are a handful of options.

Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

These are the avenues for the Vikings to conduct a Doncic-like trade, speaking merely in the hypothetical.

1.
Justin Jefferson + 2026 3rd-Round Pick
— to the Cleveland Browns —
— for —
Myles Garrett and 2nd Overall Pick in 2025

Jefferson Smashes
Dec 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota wide receiver J. Jefferson (18) celebrates the win against the Indianapolis Colts after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. With the win, the Minnesota Vikings clinched the NFC North. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

Remember: The goal of this exercise is to be outlandish and borderline unrealistic like most thought a trade involving Doncic would be before Saturday night.

So, here, the Vikings offload Jefferson to the Browns while stocking up on EDGE rusher majesty — with pass rushers coming out of their ears, in fact. Cleveland would gain a WR1 for the next half-decade and maybe even pair Jefferson with Kirk Cousins, who could join the Browns for cheap this offseason.

Minnesota could then stick-and-pick and No. 2 — probably Travis Hunter — or trade the pick to a quarterback-needy team for an absolute haul.

The 2025 WR room could look something like this:

  • Jordan Addison
  • Travis Hunter
  • Amari Cooper (Free Agency)
  • Jalen Nailor

2. Jordan Addison
— to the Cincinnati Bengals —
— for —
the 17th Overall Pick in 2025

Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota wide receiver J. Addison (3) warms up before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

In this scenario, Minnesota, behind the scenes, is quietly fed up with Addison’s bad driving habits, shipping him to Cincinnati as a result. The Bengals would pair Addison with Ja’Marr Chase for the next three seasons before facing an extension decision on Addison.

Tee Higgins would presumably depart via free agency, probably joining a club like the New England Patriots or Los Angeles Chargers.

The Vikings use the 17th pick on a wide receiver like Luther Burden (Missouri) or Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State).

3. J.J. McCarthy
— to the Los Angeles Chargers —
— for —
Justin Herbert

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) speak in a press conference after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports.

No faux Luka Doncic NFL article would be complete without trading the franchise quarterback.

Frustrated by flaming out of the postseason in Year No. 1, head coach Jim Harbaugh pressures his bosses to ship Justin Herbert to noted quarterback whisperer Kevin O’Connell in exchange for his college quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, who he adores.

The Vikings’ 2025 cap space vanishes, but beyond the shadow of a doubt, the purple team has the QB1 spot nailed down for the next decade while McCarthy and Harbaugh transfer their Michigan glory to the pros.

This one was even rumored in the shadows during the build-up to the 2024 NFL Draft.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.