The Dallas Mavericks have made a shocking trade by sending 25-year-old superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and two other players. The deal, which was announced on Sunday morning, has sent shockwaves through the NBA and left many Mavericks fans reeling.
According to Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, the decision to trade Doncic was made after a long period of “basketball conversations” with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka. Harrison cited his relationship with Pelinka, which began over 20 years ago, as a key factor in the deal.
Doncic, who has averaged 28.6 points for his career and is currently missing the season due to a calf injury, was eligible for a five-year, $345 million supermax extension from the Mavericks. However, Harrison said that trading Doncic now allows the team to “get ahead of what was going to be a tumultuous summer.”
The trade also brings Davis, who has averaged 24.2 points and 10.7 rebounds, to Dallas. The Mavericks believe that Davis’s defensive prowess will help them win championships.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said that he and Harrison have been building a culture in Dallas focused on defense, and that Davis is a key addition to that effort. However, the news of Doncic’s trade has left many fans feeling shocked and outraged.
The Mavericks will play the Lakers twice more this season: on February 25th in Los Angeles and April 9th in Dallas. With the trade, the team’s future looks uncertain, but one thing is clear: Luka Doncic is gone for good.
Source: https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2025/02/01/dallas-mavericks-luka-doncic-trade-lakers-anthony-davis-max-christie