Mavs deal Luka Doncic to Lakers for Anthony Davis in unexpected blockbuster 3-team trade
Late Saturday night, the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA agreed to a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, sending their franchise superstar Luka Doncic to the City of Angels in return for defensive stand-out Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first round draft pick in 2029.
The Details
In the three-team deal involving the Mavericks, Lakers, and Utah Jazz, each team received the following:
The Mavericks landed C/PF Anthony Davis, G Max Christie, and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick.
The Lakers received PG Luka Doncic, PF Maxi Kleber, and PF Markieff Morris.
The Utah Jazz, as the facilitating team, received G Jalen Hood-Schifino, the LA Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick, and the Mavs’ 2025 second-round pick.
Fallout of the Deal
Almost as shocking as the deal itself is how abrupt the news was. There were no leaks of a potential trade until the deal was officially announced. Its abrupt nature left many asking “Why?” Why exactly would the Mavs part with the 5-year-old 5x NBA All-Star just eight months after he led the team to an NBA Finals appearance?
Dallas General Manager Nico Harrison believes the move puts the team in the best position to win now, despite parting with a cornerstone of the Dallas offense. In rationalizing the trade, he said the following: “I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance [at winning]. We’re built to win now and in the future.”
Tim MacMahon, an ESPN sports writer for the Dallas area, said that the Mavs were reportedly motivated to move Doncic because of his “constant conditioning issues” and looming contract situation.
Doncic is said to have weighed in at over 260 lbs earlier this season. He has been limited to only 22 games and has battled a number of soft-tissue injuries (knee, groin, wrist injuries), the latest being a left calf strain that has sidelined him since Christmas Day.
Doncic was also in line to sign a supermax extension: a five-year, $345 million deal with the Mavs this summer. The Mavs’ front office felt that they needed to “[get] out in front of [the contract situation],” and addressed it directly by shipping Luka away.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka expressed excitement for his team’s new acquisition. “Luka is a one-of-a-kind, young global superstar who will lead this franchise for years to come,” he said in a statement on Sunday. He also offered thanks to Davis and Christie for their time as Lakers, and voiced optimism for the future of their franchise in the coming years.
The rest of the league expressed consternation and surprise at the trade. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets superstar and three-time MVP, said “I think nobody is safe in the league.” Josh Hart from the New York Knicks called the trade “a highway robbery.” Anthony Edwards from the Minnesota Timberwolves said “it's a lot more digging somebody gotta do to find out why he got traded, because you don't just trade him at 25, he just went to the [NBA] Finals."
Doncic arrived in Los Angeles on Monday night. In a Tuesday press conference, Doncic said “I thought I was gonna stay my whole career there [in Dallas]. Loyalty is a big word for me.” He also denied any allegations that he or his inner circle were considering the possibility of not signing the supermax contract he was supposed to receive.
Doncic was seated on the bench but did not suit for the Lakers in their Tuesday night matchup against their crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers.
A changed league
The rest of the league expressed consternation and surprise at the trade. Now teammate and all-time great Lebron James said he “thought it was a hoax.” Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets superstar and three-time MVP, said “I think nobody is safe in the league.” Josh Hart from the New York Knicks called the trade “a highway robbery.” Anthony Edwards from the Minnesota Timberwolves said “it's a lot more digging somebody gotta do to find out why he got traded, because you don't just trade him at 25, he just went to the [NBA] Finals."
Doncic arrived in Los Angeles on Monday night. In a Tuesday press conference, Doncic said “I thought I was gonna stay my whole career there [in Dallas]. Loyalty is a big word for me.” He also denied any allegations that he or his inner circle were considering the possibility of not signing the supermax contract he was supposed to receive.
Doncic was seated on the bench but did not suit for the Lakers in their Tuesday night matchup against their crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers. The Lakers won 122-97.