The Lakers Have Pulled Off One of the Biggest Trades in NBA History
In one of the most blindsiding events, the Los Angeles Lakers pulled the trigger on one of the biggest blockbuster trades in NBA history. The Lakers traded All-Star forward Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic. This trade, which was finalized in the early hours of Feb. 2, sent a shockwave across the league. While major stars have moved during the season in the past, this is one of the few times in league history that two of the 10 best players in the world have been traded for each other.
Image credit: Jerome Miron, Imagn Images
With the finalization of this deal coming just days before the trade deadline, the entire landscape of the league changes. Leading up to this trade, there were no indications that either team were willing to give up their star players. Davis was having another All-Star caliber season, posting averages of 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 steals per game. Despite having a slightly subpar season defensively, Davis was still the Lakers’ best player during the season, and has contributed to the team for the past six years.
Doncic comes off of a miraculous postseason run, leading the Mavericks to the NBA finals for the first time in over a decade. Despite dealing with injuries throughout the season, Doncic is still widely considered a top five player in the league.
The full details of the trade include the Mavericks trading Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in exchange for Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. The Utah Jazz were also involved, receiving Jalen Hood-Schifino from the Lakers, the Clippers’ 2025 second round pick and the Mavericks’ 2025 second round pick.
According to an ESPN report, the Mavericks reached out to the Lakers regarding Doncic. They cited Doncic’s conditioning, as well as a lack of defense from the former MVP candidate. “I believe that defense wins championships,” Mavs general manager Nico Garrison told ESPN. “I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built for the future.”
With these new developments, the Lakers will receive one of the best offensive players in league history. Averaging around 28 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in his seven years in Dallas, Doncic has been a perennial MVP candidate when healthy. The new union between Doncic and LeBron James may be one of the best all around offensive tandems that the league has ever seen. They both possess the ability to generate efficient shots for themselves and their teammates at an incredibly high rate.
However, with the loss of Davis and Christie, the Lakers lose the small amount of defense that they had, likely causing them to plummet to the bottom of the league on that end of the court. Davis’ ability to guard multiple positions, play in multiple coverages and protect the rim are things that the Lakers will not be able to replace. The team already needed a center, and this move only hurts them in their search.
For Dallas, they lose one of the best on-ball creators in the league, but gain an elite defender and play-finisher. On a team that already has a solid defensive core, Davis can flourish as an anchor, while returning to the power forward position that he has stated he prefers. Playing alongside another offensive juggernaut Kyrie Irving, Davis should be able to shoulder some of the offensive load while improving the team’s defense alongside players like P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall and Daniel Gafford.
In the immediate aftermath, the Mavericks look like the better team due to the effects that Davis will have on both sides of the ball, though their offense will take a massive hit with the loss of Doncic. The advantages that he creates are invaluable, with nobody else on this Mavericks team coming close to his output offensively. This trade places a lower ceiling on the success that they can reach.
The Lakers will have a high-powered offense that can generate the best shots in the league; but the lack of defense and size coupled with two stars that need the ball can create issues for the team. However, if they can find a serviceable big man that can anchor their defense, the Lakers will be right back into contention, with the ability to compete with most teams in the west due to their potential on the offensive end.
While these moves may not make either team instant contenders as they don’t address either team’s major concerns, this is still one of the craziest trades that the league has ever seen.