Luka Doncic traded to Lakers for Anthony Davis taken in Los Angeles  (Los Angeles Lakers)

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Dec 12, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) talks with Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) after the Mavericks defeat the Lakes at the American Airlines Center.

LOS ANGELES –– In a surprising three-team trade, the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to trade Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick for Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris Saturday night. 

Dallas and Los Angeles swapped players who expressed issues with their organizations. Davis spoke to the media about his disdain for playing center with Los Angeles. Dončić expressed his desire to sign a super-max contract with Dallas. 

Last season, Dončic led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals. In 2020, Davis won a title with Los Angeles.

Utah will receive Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round draft picks in the trade.

According to ESPN, LeBron James learned of the trade when it broke while he was out to dinner with his family. after Saturday's win against the New York Knicks. 

Both Davis and Doncic are currently sidelined with injuries that are expected to keep them out through the NBA All-Starr break. Doncic has been limited to only 22 games this season due to a variety of injuries. 

What makes this trade so shocking is Dallas trading 25-year-old Doncic in the prime of his career. Doncic has been an All-NBA First Team player for five straight seasons Doncic is the first player in NBA history to post a 60-point, 20 rebound triple-double (60 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists), the first to post 250 points, 50 rebounds, and 50 assists in a five game span, the first with a 50-point triple-double average over a two game span, and the first with a 30-point triple-double (35 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists) as a teenager. 

The Lakers and Mavericks will face each other on Feb. 25 in Los Angeles. 

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