MrMarcello
In a well-ordered universe...
I feel like I'm the asshole here when it comes to all the Doncic love. He is a fantastic player and someone I love to watch play, but he has only been in the league 5 years and has won exactly 2 playoff series. He should not be close to the all-time great discussion yet, although in 5-6 years he may be at the top of the discussion. For comparison, Magic won a title his rookie year and his clinching game 6 performance in the finals is legendary. Luka may be at MAgic's level one day, hell he may pass him, but they are not on the same level right now.
In fairness, the 79-80 Lakers were a far superior team to the 18-19 Mavs. The Lakers were a playoff team the year before whereas the 17-18 Mavs were a bottom five team. Had Luka ended up in a scenario where a mid-tier playoff team had been fortunate to draft him (be it trade or whatever) and he propelled that side to the Finals... we'll never know but would be a much fairer comparison. What if Luka had somehow ended up in Cleveland, or Miami, or San Antonio, or Utah?
It's worth noting how Magic became a Laker - it was multiple draft pick compensation from New Orleans for signing Gail Goodrich in 1976. The Jazz finished dead last in the 78-79 and thus the Lakers lucked out with the first overall selection after a coin flip between them and Chicago. Had the coin flipped the other way it's Magic with the Bulls which also means no Jordan there a few years later - the Bulls would have been winning more games with Magic. NBA history would be much different today.
I don't know much about the trade but seems bizarre the Jazz wanted a 33-yr old player on the downslope for such a high cost. Presume they had hoped he could help Maravich get over the hump. Showtime may never have existed in an alternate universe had the Jazz elected a different path. Heck, basketball may never have left New Orleans with Magic in town.