In what might be the most shocking sports trade in recent memory, just after midnight on February 2, breaking news was announced that the Dallas Mavericks are sending Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers in exchange for superstar big man Anthony Davis (per Shams Charania).
Videos by FanBuzz
BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell @ShamsCharania. Three-team deal that includes Utah. pic.twitter.com/joU6bXqnBJ
— ESPN (@espn) February 2, 2025
BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Three-team deal that includes Utah.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
Upon the bombshell being dropped, many fans believed it was a prank.
bro I had to check 10 times to see if this was the real account wtf
— ryan 🤿 (@scubaryan_) February 2, 2025
Shams even had to clarify in another tweet that he wasn't hacked, "Yes this is real."
In view of the rest of the trade, the Lakers will also be receiving Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. Then the Mavs will get Max Christie and a future first-round pick (2029).
Yes, this is real. Sources tell ESPN: Full trade:
- Lakers: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
- Mavericks: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LAL 1st
- Jazz: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Clippers 2nd, 2025 Mavericks 2nd https://t.co/bltojdTaQj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
All in all, this comes as a surprise to many, as even the players themselves were caught off guard.
“This deal materialized in the shadows … LeBron James had no idea this was coming. Anthony Davis had no idea this was coming. I’m told Luka Doncic is still stunned about this trade.”@ShamsCharania on the Anthony Davis-Luka Doncic trade between the Lakers and Mavericks pic.twitter.com/Hp4bL3UX2M
— ESPN (@espn) February 2, 2025
LUKA ACTUALLY GOT TRADED FOR ANTHONY DAVIS AND SHAMS DIDN’T GET HACKED OR ANYTHING??????
pic.twitter.com/HoOc7t3jS3— BIGMEM12 (@BIGMEM12) February 2, 2025
Davis was believed to be LeBron's right hand man, especially when one thinks back to AD on the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2018-19 season, and how agent Rich Paul helped orchestrate AD jumping ship to LA.
Upon joining LeBron, the duo went on to win a championship their very first year playing together (2019-2020 season).
Thank you Anthony Davis for everything. We will never forget the amazing moments you gave us. @AntDavis23 pic.twitter.com/0CCLYP7GKj
— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) February 2, 2025
Then on the other side, Luka seemingly was the future of the Mavericks franchise, as they traded for him on draft night (2018) after he was initially selected No. 3 overall to the Atlanta Hawks.
The Mavericks approached the Lakers recently and offered Luka Doncic, sources tell ESPN. Lakers brass met and believed the 25-year-old Doncic has the ability to be the face of their franchise for the next decade while giving Anthony Davis a win-now move in Dallas.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
Reportedly, the Mavericks first contacted the Lakers offering Luka, as there was worry over his conditioning issues, while also growing concern on whether he would agree to sign a possible upcoming supermax contract this summer, in which the 25-year-old would have been offered up to $345 million (per Tim MacMahon).
The Mavericks and Luka Doncic, were heading toward a five-year contract extension in July worth a record $345 million, per @TheSteinLine.
Until tonight 🤯 pic.twitter.com/4rZUhe87df
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 2, 2025
The Lakers front office may be looking to build around Luka, considering 40-year-old LeBron may not have many years left.
Much like LeBron, the young Slovenian is a ball-dominant playmaker, and will be considered one of the top players in the league for at least the next decade.
The only concern for the LakeShow, they appear to be losing their best rim-protector in Davis.
According to reports, this more than likely was a move made because "a rift had been forming between Anthony Davis and Lakers management after his sit-down interview with ESPN" (per NBA insider Brett Siegel).
Anthony Davis pleading with the Lakers to trade for a center
(via @shamscharania) pic.twitter.com/ohc5gtPb2J
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 24, 2025
AD already has been vocal about the organization not trading for a Center, and now as it goes, he is the one being traded himself.
Early word on all of this:
Apparently a rift had been forming between Anthony Davis and Lakers management, especially after his sit-down interview with ESPN.
This trade JUST came together in the last few hours with nobody around the league knowing about it.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) February 2, 2025
Anthony Davis will now be paired up with 8x All-Star Kyrie Irving, while joining a Mavericks frontcourt that includes Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II.
Luka Doncic will presumably take over the point guard role for the Lakers, playing alongside his childhood idol LeBron James.
“LeBron was my favorite player growing up. He’s my idol”
- Luka Doncic in 2018 pic.twitter.com/DA0k5A8lUO
— 🎭 (@MaskedInLA) June 2, 2024
Related: Anthony Davis Pleads With Lakers Front Office To Pick Up A Center Ahead Of NBA Trade Deadline
