The Los Angeles Lakers made a shocking move on Saturday, trading Anthony Davis and other players to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic, according to ESPN sources. The three-team deal also involves the Utah Jazz.
The trade stunned fans and players alike, with many wondering if Charania’s account had been hacked. However, reports from both The Los Angeles Times and The Dallas Morning News confirmed the move. NBA reporter Marc Stein revealed that Doncic did not request a trade, but rather the Mavericks approached the Lakers about the deal.
Doncic will now join LeBron James as a co-star for the Lakers. Despite his calf injury, Doncic has already made five straight All-NBA first teams at just 25 years old. The trade addresses the Lakers’ potential slide in performance due to Davis and James’s aging.
Davis is reportedly waiving his trade kicker, which will push the Mavericks under the luxury tax. This move aims to strengthen the Mavericks’ defense with Davis and Doncic on board. General manager Nico Harrison defended the deal by citing the importance of defense winning championships.
The Mavericks were looking to address concerns about Doncic’s conditioning and approaching negotiations for a supermax deal. The trade brings in Davis, who will play alongside Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and P.J. Washington. This move gives the Lakers something to look forward to once James retires, as they previously lacked a talented player like Doncic.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/lakers-trade-anthony-davis-for-luka-doncic-in-one-of-the-most-shocking-deals-in-nba-history-051920660.html