Late last night, the Dallas Mavericks took a huge risk when they exchanged their star player, Luka Dončić, for star big man Anthony Davis.
The Los Angeles Lakers are set up for the future, and this is the first time in their history that an international star will lead the team—a move that solidifies their future post-LeBron James.
You a fkn lie!!! 🤥🤡 https://t.co/EYNRUbUFmj
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 2, 2025
This morning, the full three-team trade became official. The Los Angeles Lakers received Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris. The Dallas Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick. The Utah Jazz received guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks.
It was confusing to many last night. The Los Angeles Lakers traded the player that head coach JJ Redick said this summer would be the focal point of the team, and not for any reason recently.
Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic, Mason Plumlee, Royce O’Neale & the Phoenix Suns bench were STUNNED when they hurt about the Anthony Davis-Luka Doncic blockbuster trade 😂😳
Via. @macandhee/TT pic.twitter.com/2mrvbpZ6mW
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) February 2, 2025
The Los Angeles Lakers are sitting fifth in the Western Conference at 28-19. Davis, this season, has averaged 25.7 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 42 games.
If you do the math, that means Davis has only missed five games this season. After playing 75 regular season games last season, the narrative that Davis is always hurt has diminished in the last 18 months.
Many people use Davis’s injury problems as an excuse to argue that they lost this trade. However, Davis is one of the best defensive big men in the NBA and a high-level offensive player who can score at all three levels. He becomes the third lob threat for Dallas and can play the four or five position. Adding Davis alongside Derrick Lively and Daniel Gafford gives him the ability to showcase his versatility as a player, both inside and out.
The Dallas Mavericks had some tough decisions to make with Dončić. A generational offensive player, Dončić is also one of the worst defenders in the league. With the ability to opt out of his deal and become eligible for a $345 million supermax this offseason if he stayed in Dallas, Luka is eligible for a $238 million supermax in Los Angeles. The Mavs got ahead of a potential issue that could have derailed their summer. General Manager Nico Harrison’s first statement since the trade also reflects the sentiment that defense wins championships.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Mavs GM Nico Harrison told Tim McMahon from ESPN regarding his motivation to trade Luka Dončić for Anthony 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.”
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