In what was immediately regarded as the most monumental trade in NBA history, the Dallas Mavericks traded their franchise player Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for All-Star Anthony Davis.
The unprecedented deal marks the first time the two All-NBA players were traded for each other in the middle of the season. Reportedly, no one knew of the deal except the team executive from each team.
The news sent shockwaves when it was first reported by ESPN’s Sham Charania on X (Formerly Twitter).
BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christi,e and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. The three-team deal that includes Utah.
“Yes, this is real,” Charania wrote in a follow-up tweet. “Sources tell ESPN: Full trade: Lakers: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris. Mavericks: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LAL 1st-round pick. Jazz: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Clippers 2nd, and 2025 Mavericks 2nd.”
According to league sources, trade discussions were initiated by Dallas Mavericks’ general manager, and Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ vice president of basketball operations and general manager, and started a few days ago. Harrison and Rob Pelinka, have a long working relationshiphave going back to when Harrison was Kobe Bryant’s marketing manager at Nike and Pelinka was Bryant’s agent.
Nico Harrison, Mavericks general manager, said the motivation behind the trade was revamping the team’s defense and Davis would be a perfect fit on the team.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Harrison told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, explaining his motivation to deal Doncic for Davis. “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.”
Luka is a one-of-a-kind, young global superstar who will lead this franchise for years to come,” Pelinka said in a statement released by the team Sunday. “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 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.”
One outspoken critic of the trade was Sasa Doncic, Luka’s father.
In an interview with Slovenian media network Arena Sport 1 on Sunday (Feb 2), Sasa Doncic accused the Mavericks of “hypocrisy” because of the “secrecy” of the transaction.
“I understand there comes a moment when you disagree with a certain philosophy,” Sasa Doncic said, as translated by Arena Sport. “You don’t like this or that player, all good — I get it.”
“But I think that exactly this secrecy, or should I say from some individuals, maybe even hypocrisy, this hurts me personally. Because I think that Luka absolutely doesn’t deserve this.”
In a move that has shaken the NBA landscape, Dončić heads to LA to team up with LeBron James and Davis will suit up alongside Kyrie Irving for the Mavericks.
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