The Lakers and Mavericks shocked the NBA world by agreeing to a trade that swaps All-NBA stars Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis, with the 25-year-old Doncic set to team up with LeBron James in Los Angeles.
In a blockbuster trade that figures to impact the Western Conference balance of power for years, the Lakers, Mavericks, and Jazz completed a three-team trade that sends Luka Doncic to Los Angeles and Anthony Davis to Dallas.
The Lakers received Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris from the Mavericks, who announced the trade. Dallas acquired Davis, Max Christie, and the Lakers' 2029 first-round pick.
Many have asked who got the best deal in the AD and Doncic deal, and the best way to put it is this, on the defense, Dallas Mavericks got the better deal, as Anthony Davies is ranked sixth in the rebounds stats with a season average of 11.9 and the third best average for blocks. L.A. Lakers got the better deal on the offense, as Luka Doncic averages 28.1 points per game, ranked the fourth highest this season, and is the 10th player with the most three-pointers.
The Jazz received Jalen Hood-Schifino, the LA Clippers' 2025 second-round pick, and the Mavericks' 2025 second-round selection.
The trade talks were initiated by Dallas. Harrison and Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' vice president of basketball operations and general manager, have a long-standing relationship dating to when Harrison was Kobe Bryant's marketing manager at Nike and Pelinka was Bryant's agent.
The Lakers' front office, ownership group and coaching staff were in alignment on the deal, excited to acquire a young superstar in Doncic while recognizing it takes a lot to get a lot in the NBA.