The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks completed a blockbuster trade that will see Luka Doncic joining LeBron James in Los Angeles, while Anthony Davis heads to Dallas.
ESPN broke the news Sunday morning (Manila time), reporting that the Lakers will also acquire Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will receive Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick.
The Utah Jazz are also involved in the deal and will gain Lakers rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino and second-round draft picks in 2025 from both the Clippers and the Mavericks.
“This deal gives us the chance to win now and in the future,” Dallas general manager Nico Harrison told ESPN. “I believe that defense wins championships, and adding an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player like Anthony Davis strengthens our chances.”
Doncic, a five-time All-Star and MVP finalist last season, is widely regarded as one of the league’s top talents. The Lakers reportedly view him as the cornerstone of the franchise in the post-LeBron James era.
Doncic has averaged 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game this season. However, injuries and fitness concerns have limited him to just 22 games, and Dallas has expressed frustration with his conditioning.
Anthony Davis, a 10-time All-Star and the Lakers’ defensive anchor, has been a pivotal player since joining Los Angeles in 2019. Davis helped the Lakers secure the NBA Championship in 2020 and is averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists this season.
Both Doncic and Davis are currently sidelined due to injuries. Doncic is recovering from a calf strain sustained in December, while Davis is dealing with an abdominal muscle strain.
The trade shocked both locker rooms, with players and coaches reportedly left in the dark about the deal. Even LeBron James was unaware, learning about it during dinner with his family.
“Without AD, it’s got to be a collective group effort,” James said after the Lakers’ win against the Knicks, emphasizing Davis’s irreplaceable defensive presence.
The Mavericks, sitting eighth in the Western Conference, aim to build a stronger defensive foundation with Davis.
The Lakers, currently fifth in the West, are looking to secure their future with Doncic as the centerpiece.
