Slovenian basketball player Luka Doncic (C) holds up a jersey as he stands alongside Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick (R) and Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka during a press conference introducing Doncic as the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers, at the UCLA Health Training Center, in El Segundo, California on February 4, 2025. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
Recently, the NBA world was shocked after 5-time all-NBA player Luka Doncic was unexpectedly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
A trade so shocking that many assumed ESPN insider Shams Charania had been hacked when he broke the news. We have never seen a trade so monumental come so unexpectedly. The fact that there was no chatter, no rumors, or trade requests makes this deal the more shocking.
Here are the details of the trade:
The Dallas Mavericks deal Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in Exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
Now, to break down the trade: The Lakers receive 25-year-old, 5-time all-NBA guard Luka Doncic. The Mavs receive young guard Max Christie, as well as 9-time all-star Anthony Davis.
The obvious question everyone is wondering: why would you ever trade a player of the caliber and age of Luka Doncic? According to multiple sources, the mavericks had concerns with Luka’s conditioning, as well as the looming super max contract he was due this upcoming off season.
When asked why the organization went out and traded for 31-year-old Anthony Davis, Nico Harrison, the Mavericks GM, said “I believe that defense wins championships. I believe that getting an all-defensive center and an all-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance too. We’re built to win now and in the future.” If the Mavs value defense highly, you can argue that it made sense to acquire such a great defensive big man; you can’t question that logic. Now what is very puzzling is Harrison’s part about “we’re built to win now and in the future.” Yes, you are built to win now, but you need to win now for this deal to be somewhat successful. But Dallas is not built to win in the future. Anthony Davis turns 32 soon and Kyrie Irving is on the wrong side of 30. Overall, if you’re Dallas, okay, you traded away one of your franchises’ all-time great players, now justify this trade and go win a championship.
LeBron James (#23) and Luka Doncic (right). Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images
Now, let’s talk about the Lakers. Lakers fans are thrilled right now. Yes, they traded away AD, Lebron James’ sidekick, as well as dealing Max Christie, who is turning into an efficient shooter and is young. However, you acquired a guy who will lead your franchise for years to come. LA won’t have to figure out what direction they want to go in once Lebron retires, you will have your superstar.
Does this trade affect the Lakers’ chances of winning a championship?
Not really. The needle hasn’t really moved up or down for the Lakers in terms of their aspirations for this year. When Rob Pelinka made this deal, he wasn’t making it to win now. He made this deal to set them up to be good in the immediate future, but more importantly, to guarantee the Lakers can compete for the next decade.
Mavericks’ Overall trade grade
While Dallas acquired an all-defensive big man as well as a young shooter and a future first-round pick, they gave up more than they received. Anthony Davis is aging, and the first-round pick they received from the Lakers will be a mid-round pick at best. Dallas could have gotten a better package than they got for Luka, and this trade doesn’t significantly improve your odds of winning a championship over the next couple of years. Unless Luka significantly regresses going forward, Dallas will likely look back on this trade and severely regret it.
Overall grade: C
Lakers’ Overall trade grade
The Lakers unequivocally won this trade. They got more back than what they gave up and they set themselves up for the post Lebron era.
Overall grade: A
