Last season, Luka Doncic guided Dallas to the NBA Finals. With the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis took home a title.
They are currently switching teams in a huge blockbuster.
Early on Sunday, a source with knowledge of the deal said that the Mavericks, the current Western Conference champions, were trading Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Davis.
According to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris are going to the Lakers, while Davis and Max Christie are going to Dallas. This is because neither team is allowed to make the announcement until the league has approved the trade.
According to the source, the Utah Jazz are also part of the agreement. Jalen Hood-Schifino and two draft picks are going to the Jazz, according to ESPN, which broke the news first. These trade-related data were also revealed by the Dallas Morning News.
About an hour after the Lakers’ victory over New York at Madison Square Garden, the trade announcement was announced. Davis had to return to Los Angeles due to an abdominal issue that required evaluation, therefore he did not play for the Lakers.
Due to an injured left calf, Doncic has not played for Dallas since Christmas Day.
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison told ESPN, “I think defense wins championships.” I think we have a better chance if we have an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mentality. We are designed to succeed both now and in the future.
As of right now, the deal would put Davis and Kyrie Irving in Dallas as a new star combo, while Doncic and LeBron James would be the new 1-2 punch in Los Angeles. Additionally, it brings Doncic and Lakers coach JJ Redick back together.
On May 11, 2021, Redick left a game for the last time, and Doncic was among the Mavs on the floor.
When rumors of the deal started to circulate on Saturday night, there was only one NBA game left, Phoenix vs. Portland. Devin Booker, a guard for the Suns, said he and his teammates were informed of the deal by someone in the fans.
“Luka,” they said. I asked, “Luka Garza?” Booker mentioned a center in Minnesota.
Booker had no intention of being humorous. He simply believed what many others likely believed, which was that Doncic would never be traded by the Mavericks.
Man, it’s insane. Booker remarked, “I’m not sure what to say about it.” Everyone has asserted that Luka is an untouchable and untradeable individual. Once more, the NBA shows you. Can t predict. It’s a company. They’re talking about you all the time. Don’t believe that you are safer than you actually are.
Kevin Durant, another Suns star, was added: Crazy. It’s insane. Insane. Oh no, I never imagined Luka Doncic would be traded. The NBA is crazy at his age, guy, especially in the middle of the season. Everyone is up for grabs if he can be traded.
Additionally, when the news broke, social media was instantly shocked.
“There must be more to Luka’s trade from Dallas,” Cleveland center Tristan Thompson tweeted on X. This isn’t something that just happens on any Saturday night.
What? published During the offseason, including the NBA playoffs, Patrick Mahomes, the standout quarterback for Kansas City, occasionally sits courtside at Mavs games.
In a different post, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson questioned whether it was a hoax. “April fools’ day?” he asked.
Apparently not.
The Lakers are idle until Tuesday night when they travel to the Los Angeles Clippers, while Dallas plays at Cleveland on Sunday. Given that the trade requires NBA permission and since neither Doncic nor Davis has a specific return date set in stone, it is unclear when they will be allowed to play for their new teams.
Doncic’s average of 28.6 points ranks third in NBA history among players with at least 400 games, behind only Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan, both of whom had averages of 30.1. He usually falls somewhere between vibrant and unstoppable when he’s healthy.
Last season, he had one of the best statistical seasons in league history, averaging 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds per game. He finished third in the MVP voting. On January 26, 2024, Doncic, who turns 26 this month and has called James an idol, tied the fourth-highest scoring total in NBA history with a 73-point performance against Atlanta. Kobe Bryant (81) and Chamberlain (78) were the only players with higher scores.
Next month, Davis, who was selected to the All-Star team for the tenth time in his career, will turn 32. He is a five-time All-NBA pick, a member of the NBA’s 75th anniversary squad, and he assisted the Lakers in winning the 2020 NBA championship in the bubble.
Additionally, this trade might cost Doncic a whopping $115 million.
This summer, Doncic had the opportunity to sign a supermax contract that would have earned him almost $345 million over five seasons. Although he is still eligible for an extension, it is unlikely that he will be able to sign a five-year contract worth more than $230 million this summer.
This season, Doncic averages 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists. Davis averages 11.9 rebounds and 25.7 points per game.