Lakers Land Dončić in Blockbuster Trade, Ship Out Davis
In the dwindling hours of Saturday night, the Lakers completed one of the most shocking trades in professional sports history by acquiring superstar guard Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks for a package going the other way involving superstar forward Anthony Davis.
By Austin Gage
The Los Angeles Lakers have traded for Luka Dončić, forward/center Maxi Kleber and forward Markieff Morris in exchange for Anthony Davis, guard Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick to the Dallas Mavericks. The Utah Jazz also joined in on the three-team trade as they acquired guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks this year.
In the words of ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania, who was the first to break the news of the incredible deal, “Yes, this is real.”
For years, Lakers fans have been infamous on social media for their photo swaps and edits of NBA superstars in the Purple and Gold. When Paul George was on the move back in 2017, Lakers fans created images of the former Indiana Pacer, at the time, in their jersey. When Kawhi Leonard requested a trade from the San Antonio Spurs in 2018 and later became a free agent after his 2019 Finals run with the Toronto Raptors, Lakers fans swiftly developed images of the “Klaw” alongside all-time great Lebron James. Both players, as with many other stars outside of James and Davis back in 2018 and 2019 respectively, failed to make their way into a Laker uniform.
However, Saturday night gave these fans a victory they could not even see happening. While there seemed to be a sense of realism and reason for many of the moves similar to the ones mentioned above of happening, a trade for Dončić seemed outlandish and impossible. The Slovenian guard, who is one of three players in NBA history to make the All-NBA First Team five times before turning 26 years old, was seen by most executives to be “untouchable” in terms of trade discussion. Fortunately for Los Angeles, one of those executives did not include Dallas’ own General Manager Nico Harrison.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Harrison said. “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.”
Davis, in return for trading Dončić, is far from an inadequate talent to receive. In his 13-year career, one that saw him begin with the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) as the number one pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and continue with the Lakers, Davis has averaged 24.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks per game. The four-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection played a crucial role in Los Angeles’ 2020 championship run in the “Bubble” and helped play a part in one of the league’s best duos alongside James for over five years.
“We are overwhelmingly thankful for AD’s six seasons with the Lakers, where he led our franchise to a championship and cemented himself as a perennial NBA All-Star,” said Lakers General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka.
With that said, a big question mark for Dallas from the outside for going through with the trade includes Davis’ age and health. While he is still playing at an All-NBA level, as he was selected for his tenth All-Star game just a few days ago, he is also 31 years old. It is fair to question how many years he has left as an exceptional player in the NBA along with injury concerns that have marred many of his previous seasons.
Dončić himself is currently out with a calf injury that has sidelined him for over a month. While the Mavericks reportedly had concerns regarding the 6’6’’ guard’s conditioning, a big part of his game does not have to do with explosive athleticism. Defense, as Harrison mentioned above, is a valid worry, but the opportunity to trade for one of the best scorers/playmakers the league has ever seen in his prime is one that could not be turned down.
For his career, he has averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game. As it currently stands, his career points per game average is the third highest in NBA regular season history. Just last season, Dončić dropped a Mavericks franchise-record 73 points against the Atlanta Hawks and earned the NBA scoring title after averaging 33.9 points per contest.
“Luka is a one-of-a-kind, young global superstar who will lead this franchise for years to come,” said Pelinka. “His killer instincts and commitment to winning championships will be a driving force for the team.
Looking at the other pieces in the deal, Christie is a 21-year old guard with potential for the Mavericks. Averaging 8.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists this season for Los Angeles, the former second round pick in 2022 fills a solid depth piece on both sides of the ball for Dallas, a franchise that seems to be emphasizing defense when it comes to current roster construction.
Kleber and Morris are more of throw-ins from Dallas to Los Angeles in the exchange, and former first-rounder Hood-Schifino will receive a fresh start in Utah after struggling in his first two campaigns with Los Angeles.
A new era for the Lakers seems to be set into action, and Dončić will form a phenomenal partnership with James as the roster looks ahead into the future along with current implications.
“Sports are about transformative moments. We are inspired by these moments Lakers fans know, expect and love with a franchise that continually ushers in new eras of greatness,” Pelinka said.
A key date is February 25th, when Dallas travels to Crypto.com Arena to take on Los Angeles in what potentially will be Davis’ return and Dončić’s first game against his former team.
