Luka Doncic heads to Lakers as Mavericks acquire Anthony Davis in three-team trade
Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks talks to Derrick White #9 and Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics after the game at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on Jan. 25, 2025. (AFP Photo)
In a stunning move that reshapes the NBA landscape, the Dallas Mavericks are sending five-time All-Star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis as part of a three-team trade involving the Utah Jazz.
The trade, first reported by ESPN Senior NBA insider Shams Charania on Saturday, pairs the Slovenian star with LeBron James while bolstering Dallas’ defense with a former NBA champion.
Doncic, 25, has been sidelined since Christmas with a calf injury but remains one of the league’s most dominant offensive forces, averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game this season. His arrival in Los Angeles signals a long-term succession plan for the Lakers as the 40-year-old James enters the twilight of his career.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, prioritize defense with the addition of Davis, a nine-time All-Star and 2020 NBA champion.
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison cited the team’s need for a stronger defensive core as a key motivation for the trade.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Harrison told ESPN. “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.”
Utah Jazz acquire Jalen Hood-Schifino in three-team deal
Alongside Davis, Dallas will receive guard Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick. The Lakers will also acquire forwards Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, adding depth to their frontcourt. The Utah Jazz, the third team in the trade, will land Lakers guard Jalen Hood-Schifino.
Reports of the trade emerged shortly after the Lakers defeated the New York Knicks 128-112, despite Davis being sidelined because of an abdominal strain. The Los Angeles Times reported that the deal caught many within the Lakers’ locker room off guard.
Davis, 31, departs Los Angeles after six seasons, where he played a crucial role in delivering the franchise’s 17th NBA title in 2020. This season, he has averaged 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
While the move positions the Lakers as immediate title contenders with the pairing of James and Doncic, the Mavericks are banking on Davis’ defensive impact and long-term roster flexibility.
The trade marks one of the most significant transactions in NBA history, with analysts debating its implications for both franchises.
As one era potentially nears its end in Los Angeles, a new one may be taking shape.
