Lakers trade Davis to Mavericks to get Doncic.

On Feb. 1, Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers in a three-team trade, making it one of the most abrupt and shocking trades in NBA history. One year removed from leading his team to the NBA Finals, Doncic was continuing his successful career, and was averaging 28.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game this season, which ties for the fourth-highest average points per game for individual players. The trade was especially surprising because Doncic had not previously expressed any desire to be traded, and was one of the most beloved and successful players in the history of the Mavericks franchise.
“Honestly, it was hard at first. The first day was really hard. It’s felt like these last forty-eight hours have been one month,” Doncic said in his introductory press conference, on being traded. “But I’m just very happy to be here for this opportunity: this is the Lakers, this is one of the best clubs in NBA history, so I’m excited to be here.” 

 Indeed, the Lakers are receiving major benefits from the trade, as they hope to create a dynamic duo between Doncic — a perennial MVP candidate — and their aging superstar, Lebron James. Through this trade alone, the Lakers’ odds of making the finals have doubled, according to ESPN. 

Doncic was not the only player to be sent to the Lakers in the trade. His teammates Maxi Kleber and Markeiff Morris were sent to the Lakers as well, in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future first-round pick. The Lakers also dealt one of their younger players, Jalen Hood-Schifino, to the Utah Jazz, who promptly waived him after the trade deadline. The Mavericks also sent the Jazz a 2025 second-round draft pick, rounding off the massive three-team trade. 

“These kinds of deals are incredibly intricate and complicated,” Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka said. “Along the way, we knew there would be 248 insurmountable snags to get to the end.”

What surprised the basketball world was that a trade of this scale was made without any warning. 

“I was shocked. Like I said, I didn’t know. I was actually at home, and was about to watch a movie with my wife and got the phone call,” Davis said. “I was in shock, obviously. I had no idea what was happening. But now, I’m kind of over it, and I’m getting ready to play with Dallas.”

 Davis is a nine time NBA All-star, and widely considered one of the best defenders in the league. However, he is over thirty years old – an older player – whereas Doncic is much younger and just entering his prime. Many Mavericks fans were shocked and upset with the decision, protesting outside their stadium before Davis’s Mavericks debut. 

  Davis, however, seemed to validate the trade when he had a monster start to his Mavericks tenure, scoring twenty-four points, thirteen rebounds, and five assists in a 116-105 win over the Houston Rockets. Unfortunately, he suffered a non-contact injury early in the second-half, and was sidelined. 

Doncic made his Lakers debut on Feb. 10, scoring only fourteen points, five rebounds, and four assists, looking hobbled from an ankle injury he suffered a few months prior. No matter who benefits most from the trade, both the Mavericks and Lakers are staking the future of their franchises on the health of their stars. 

Article by Daniel Harms