It's official. The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired the superstar Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks in what is likely the most out-of-nowhere trade in NBA history.
Yes, this is real. Sources tell ESPN: Full trade:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
- Lakers: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
- Mavericks: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LAL 1st
- Jazz: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Clippers 2nd, 2025 Mavericks 2nd https://t.co/bltojdTaQj
They sent out Max Christie, Anthony Davis, Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2025 Clippers second, and a 2029 first-round pick in the deal to acquire Doncic from the Mavericks in a three-team swap with the Jazz. That deal is potentially the most lopsided trade as well, even despite Davis being a top 15 player in the NBA and the Lakers 2029 pick being coveted.
With Doncic being a top-five player, he could not only devalue that pick by making the Lakers contenders for years to come, but this deal could hurt the Mavericks long-term. After all, they were built around Doncic only to trade him midway through the season after they made the NBA Finals with him for the first time.
That makes a decision to trade him a baffling one, especially for the haul that they received for him. Although they still have Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and now Davis, they are worse this season without Doncic and certainly going forward.
By trading Doncic, it seems clear that he wasn't going to re-sign with them after next season, so the Mavs might not have had much of a choice. At least with Davis, he is under contract for several seasons, even though he is technically a downgrade.
The Los Angeles Lakers got significantly better by landing Luka Doncic.
With the Lakers fifth in the Western Conference, they weren't serious trade contenders. That has clearly changed with the Lakers having leveled up by landing Doncic. It cost them a big star in Davis, a starter in Max Christie, and a future first, but it's worth it if they can go on a deep playoff run with him and LeBron James.
They still have some big issues to resolve, one being that they were already thin up front even with Davis. Now, they may have to start Jaxson Davis at center in a massive downgrade. That isn't sustainable, and another trade, possibly involving Austin Reaves, may be happening next.
As for the Mavericks, they are still likely a playoff team, but probably not a contender. They do have Davis and Irving, but that isn't enough, and the first that they received isn't as good as it otherwise would have been without Doncic.
After the Luka trade to the Lakers, all I know right now is that the Dallas pick swap that the Spurs own in 2030 might now be the best asset in the NBA. #PorVida
— Cal Durrett (@crdurrett) February 2, 2025
Then there is the fact that they are down several first-round picks, including a pick swap in 2030 to the Spurs, which could be a high lottery pick without Doncic in the fold. It's a bad trade for the Mavericks and a great one for the Lakers.