Dallas Mavericks trade Luka Doncic to LA Lakers
The Dallas Mavericks shocked the sports world by trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. The news broke on Saturday night. FOX 4’s Jeff Kolb shared his reaction.
DALLAS – The Dallas Mavericks have traded away superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in one of the biggest trades in recent NBA history.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Dončić will be going to Los Angeles as a part of a package that includes former All-Star Anthony Davis.
The shocking three-team deal was first reported late Saturday night.
No official word on the trade has come from the Mavericks or Lakers.
Luka Dončić trade
DALLAS, TX – JANUARY 7: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 7, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow
Here is the full trade, according to ESPN:
- Dallas Mavericks receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LA Lakers first-round pick
- Los Angeles Lakers receive: Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
- Utah Jazz receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 LA Clippers second-round pick, 2025 Dallas Mavericks second-round pick
The backstory:
Why would the Mavericks trade Dončić?
NBA Insider Marc Stein says Luka did not request a trade and that the Mavericks pulled the trigger on a deal on their own accord.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reports that the team had concerns about the 25-year-old due to his conditioning issues and a looming supermax contract.
Dončić has battled injuries throughout his time in the NBA.
He has played in just 22 of the Mavericks’ 49 games this season. He has not played since injuring his calf on Christmas Day against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Still, Dončić is one of the NBA’s biggest young stars, being named first team All-NBA in each of the last 5 seasons.
He also led the Mavericks to playoff success, with a trip to the NBA Finals last season and a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2022.
In his career in Dallas, Dončić averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.
Among players with at least 400 games, Doncic’s 28.6-point average is third in NBA history behind only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain — both at 30.1.
Anthony Davis
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 27: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts following a play during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 27, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO U
The biggest part of the return for the Mavericks is Anthony Davis.
Davis, 31, won a championship with the Lakers in 2020.
The nine-time All-Star is considered one of the best centers in the league, who is still a defensive anchor.
This season he is averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.1 blocks per game.
Davis also has an extensive injury history of his own.
The trade news broke about an hour after the Lakers beat New York at Madison Square Garden. Davis was not with the Lakers for the game. He was back in Los Angeles because of an abdominal injury.
What they’re saying:
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Mavs GM Nico Harrison told ESPN, according to Tim MacMahon. “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.”
Anthony Davis Contract
Anthony Davis will be a free agent after the 2028 season.
The 31-year-old is making more than $43 million this season, $54 million next season, $58 million in the 2026-2027 season and a player option for $62 million in the 2027-2028 season.
The Source: Information in this article comes from ESPN’s Shams Charania, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Marc Stein, Spotrac and the NBA.
