The Lakers are acquiring Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic for center Anthony Davis in a stunning trade that is sending shock waves through the NBA Sunday.
The 25-year-old Doncic is a generational talent who led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season and has averaged a gaudy 28.6 points since joining the NBA in 2018 from the EuroLeague, along with 8.3 assists and 8.7 rebounds.
He led the league in scoring in the 2023-24 season at 33.9 points per game, and has career playoff averages of 30.9 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8 assists.
The Slovenian native is currently out of action with a calf injury but is expected back soon. He will team with 40-year-old LeBron James to form one of the most intriguing partnerships in recent league history.
The Lakers confirmed the trade, which was reported Saturday night by ESPN, with a post on X Sunday that said: “Yes, it really happened. Welcome to Los Angeles, Luka.”
The team followed that up with a post showing Davis holding the 2020 NBA championship trophy and the message, “Forever a legend in LA. Thank you, AD.”
The Mavericks also confirmed the news Sunday morning, posting “Welcome to Dallas, @AntDavis23!” with a photo of Davis.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison said to 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 to win now and in the future.”
Davis, 31, came to the Lakers in a 2019 trade with the New Orleans Pelicans for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and multiple draft picks. Teaming with James, he helped them win the 2020 NBA championship. When healthy he is an imposing defensive force and rebounder with a career scoring average of 24.2 points, but he’s also been nagged by injuries throughout his career that often keep him sidelined.
The Lakers will receive Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, and Dallas will receive Davis, Max Christie and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick. Lakers guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and a future second round pick were sent to the Utah Jazz in the deal as well.
The deal comes days before Thursday’s NBA trading deadline, and was met with shock from players around the league.
“It’s crazy, man. I really don’t know what to say about it,” Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker said, according to ESPN. “Luka being a guy that everybody has claimed is untouchable and untradeable. The NBA shows you again. Can’t predict. It’s a business. They’re always having a conversation about you. So don’t think you’re safer than you are.”
Booker’s teammate Kevin Durant, who’s seen a few NBA stops himself, said: “Insane. It’s crazy. Crazy. Damn, would of never thought Luka Doncic would get traded. At his age, midseason, the NBA is a wild place, man. If he can get traded, then anybody is up for grabs.”
James, who lobbied for the acquisition of Davis in 2019, had not commented on the trade as of late Sunday morning and according to multiple media reports was not informed of the deal by Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka until after the fact.
The move comes as the Lakers hold the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference standings with a 28-19 record after Saturday night’s impressive 128-112 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
“We are overwhelmingly thankful for AD’s six seasons with the Lakers, where he led our franchise to a championship and cemented himself as a perennial NBA All-Star,” Pelinka said Sunday. “We are proud of Max Christie’s development as a Laker as he has grown into an impact 3-and-D player and we are appreciative of the work Jalen Hood-Schifino has put in to show professionalism at every level. Sports are about transformative moments. We are inspired by these moments Lakers fans know, expect and love with a franchise that continually ushers in new eras of greatness.
“Luka is a one-of-a-kind, young global superstar who will lead this franchise for years to come,” Pelinka continued. “His killer instincts and commitment to winning championships will be a driving force for the team. We will be relentless in building a roster around the on-court vision Coach (JJ) Redick has for this basketball team and there is an unwavering commitment to that work to serve our loyal and dedicated fans. We are grateful for today and look forward to what’s next.”
The deal adds to the Lakers’ storied history of acquiring NBA megastars at or near their prime, including the deal for Davis in 2019.
In 1968, the Lakers, frustrated by multiple losses to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, traded for Wilt Chamberlain in a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, and the “Big Dipper” eventually won a title with the purple and gold in 1972.
In 1975, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Lakers from the Milwaukee Bucks and went on to win five NBA titles in LA.
In the summer of 1996, the Lakers signed center Shaquille O’Neal as a free agent, and the former Orlando Magic star went on to win three straight NBA championships in LA from 2000-02.
And of course there was the signing of James, who joined the Lakers as a free agent in 2018 after his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers.