LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Lakers shocked the NBA world days before the trade deadline on Saturday night, trading center Anthony Davis for star guard Luka Doncic, a move no one saw coming as mayhem ensued after L.A.'s win in New York.
Los Angeles is sending Davis, young guard Max Christie, and a first-round pick to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris in a three-team deal that includes the Utah Jazz, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
The Jazz will get Lakers sophomore guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2025 Clippers second-round pick, and a 2025 Mavericks second-round pick.
Many speculated that Charania was hacked and believed the announcement (including myself) was not true, but Charania confirmed the trade with another tweet, confirming the shocking trade.
Yes, this is real. Sources tell ESPN: Full trade:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
- 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
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that LeBron James learned of the trade when he was at dinner with his family after the Lakers' 128-112 win over the Knicks. Adding that James had no idea the trade was in the works and was surprised by the move.
The trade cements the Lakers' long-term plans post-LeBron, as Doncic, who is 25 years old, is one of the NBA perennial young stars and a genrational talent with five All-Stars, five first-team All-NBA nods, and a 23-24 scoring champ under his belt who helped push the Mavs to a Finals appearance last season.
Doncic last played in Dallas’ Christmas Day loss to the Timberwolves (played 16 minutes), leaving the game early as a calf injury has held him to appear in only 22 games this season, averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists.
The Lakers will play the Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 25 (7 p.m.), when Doncic and Davis will presumably be back from injuries, making the matchup a lot more interesting now.
Look for the Lakers to continue making more moves with the roster looking unfinished with the additions and substitutions from this trade. The center position is an area they could target, filling Davis' void, in the buy-out market or via trade with still multiple picks at their disposal.