“Thanks for everything.” — Doncic, in the Mavericks’ player group chat, according to The Dallas Morning News.
“We will be relentless in building a roster around the on-court vision Coach (J.J.) Redick has for this basketball team and there is an unwavering commitment to that work to serve our loyal and dedicated fans. We are grateful for today and look forward to what’s next.” — Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka.
“Defense wins championships. AD is the one that we truly believe fits. … When you look at going forward, we’re looking at the window to win now.” — Mavericks coach Jason Kidd.
Our Reactions
It turns out Shams wasn’t hacked. Luka Doncic is actually a Los Angeles Laker, having touched down in LA and projected to debut Saturday afternoon against the Pacers.
The Lakers reached a deal to acquire Doncic from the Mavericks as part of a three-team trade that has Davis, Max Christie and a first-round pick going to Dallas in a stunning blockbuster trade that also involves the Utah Jazz. The Lakers will also receive Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in the trade. The Jazz will receive Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round pick from the Lakers and a 2025 second-round pick from the Mavericks.
News of the stunning trade broke shortly after the Lakers defeated the New York Knicks 128-112 Saturday at Madison Square Garden with LeBron James going for a 33-point, 12-assist, 11-rebound triple-double.
It is huge shift in the Western Conference, which Dallas won last season.
Even James did not know the trade was happening and was at a post-game dinner in New York when he learned of the deal as it broke.
Doncic is one of the league’s most gifted offensive players, and he gives the Lakers offensive help now alongside James in Los Angeles coach JJ Redick’s offense, and he gives the Lakers another face of the franchise, especially when the 40-year-old James decides to retire.
Davis provides All-NBA offensive and defensive versatility for Dallas and averages 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals in 2024-25. He joins a team that features Kyrie Irving and a deep roster with six other players averaging at least 10 points, including Klay Thompson.
This trade will alter the NBA for the next decade, making the Lakers a perennial contender. How the Lakers continue to land Superstar players for next to nothing? We’ll never know.
Grades:
Los Angeles Lakers: A++++++
The Lakers could not have done better at the deadline, landing a player who could very easily become the face of the league, and certainly the face of the franchise. One of the most gifted athletes of the generation, Doncic will provide elite scoring and ball handling for the Lakers for the next decade, and will continue to lighten the load on a 40 year-old LeBron who will now be arguably, the second option on his own team, and no longer his teams focus. The Lakers made themselves better right now, while setting themselves up for the Post-LeBron era, all for a single first round pick, and a 31 year old Anthony Davis. Beautiful trade for the LakeShow.
Dallas Mavericks: F
I don’t care about “Defense wins championships” or “Luka is out of shape”. This is a 25 year old who is a 5 time all-nba award winner and a MVP Finalist. He was the player that was supposed to play his entire career in Dallas, get a statue, and potentially win a ring or 2 over the next decade. He just led your team to an NBA Finals appearance where he met a super-team in the Boston Celtics. He’s proven you can win by building around him, and to give him up in the prime of his career is absurd. Not only that, but to give him up for what you did is insulting to him. Luka Doncic on the open market, could’ve potentially fetched 5+ firsts and some elite young talent from a team like OKC, or San Antonio. To not even allow bids from other teams is poor decision-making on Nico Harrisons part and the Dallas Mavericks may have this go down as the worst trade of all time.
Summary
The Lakers went from being a borderline play-in/playoff team, and a projected first round exit at BEST, to a top contender in the stacked Western Conference and a perennial contender for years to come. Meanwhile, Dallas went from a borderline playoff team, to a contender, as AD is a great fit alongside Kyrie and Klay. However, the timeline of this team diminished drastically, and may shorten their championship timeline to the next 3-5 years at best.
The Lakers are 28-19 and in fifth place in the West, just one game behind the Denver Nuggets. Dallas is 26-23 and in ninth place in the West – but just 2½ games behind the sixth-place Los Angeles Clippers. We’ll have to see how things go from here.
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