In a shocking trade, the Los Angeles Lakers have acquired Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania late Saturday. The three-team deal also involves the Utah Jazz.
The Mavericks will receive Davis, Max Christie, and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick. The Jazz will get Jalen Hood-Schifino, the LA Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick, and the Mavs’ 2025 second-round selection.
Dallas Mavs general manager Nico Harrison cited a desire to improve his team’s defense as the reason for trading Doncic. He said, “I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance.”
The trade was initiated by Dallas and involves a long-standing relationship between Mavericks GM Nico Harrison and Lakers VP of basketball operations Rob Pelinka, who dates back to their work with Kobe Bryant’s marketing manager at Nike.
Lakers superstar LeBron James was surprised by the news, as were Davis and Doncic. The Mavs traded Doncic due to conditioning concerns, which led to multiple absences this season. He has been limited to just 22 games because of injuries.
Doncic’s contract was set to reach $345 million over five years but is no longer eligible for a supermax deal thanks to the trade. This historic deal marks the first time two reigning All-NBA players have been traded midseason. Davis will join the Lakers’ coaching staff led by Jason Kidd and Jared Dudley, who were part of the 2020 championship team.
The Lakers and Mavericks will meet twice more in the regular season, with their next matchup scheduled for April 9 in Dallas.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43659380/sources-mavericks-trading-doncic-lakers-anthony-davis