NBA shaken with historic blockbuster deal
The US Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers stunned the basketball world when they traded two NBA superstars, Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis, on February 2.
A few days before the NBA transfer window closed, the Lakers sent Davis to the Mavericks, while also receiving iconic star Doncic from their rivals. The news shook the entire American basketball world, as Davis and Doncic were both considered untouchable at their respective clubs.
The specific deal between the Lakers and Mavericks also involves a third team, the Utah Jazz. The Lakers receive Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, the Mavericks receive Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, the Jazz get Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick and the Mavericks’ 2025 second-round pick.
ESPN and a host of major media outlets have called the deal the most bizarre blockbuster in NBA history. “The West has been shaken,” The Athletic commented when reporting that Davis was swapping places with Doncic. Both have been multiple All-NBA and All-Stars, with Davis recently named to the 2025 All-Star after a stellar start to the season. Doncic is injured, but is the best international player in the NBA in the past half decade, considered an untouchable symbol of the Mavericks and predicted to be the number one symbol of the NBA in the next few years.
Center Davis (left) and guard Doncic, in the Lakers and Mavericks jerseys before. Photo: CP
“This deal shows that anything can happen in this league. That’s exactly how the owners do business,” Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker said when asked about the blockbuster trade between the Lakers and Mavericks.
Before sending Davis to the Mavericks , the Lakers had rejected all offers to trade him for nearly six years, since 2019. Davis is the best center in NBA history, contributing greatly to the team’s championship in 2020. He is also a close friend of LeBron James, the number one star of the Lakers and the NBA. The close relationship between Davis and James has led many to believe that the duo will stick together until James retires.
The Lakers’ sacrifice of Davis to get Doncic is seen as a preparation to replace LeBron James, who is still playing well at the age of 40 but will not have much time left with basketball. On the other side, explaining the decision to push away the team’s number one offensive star, Mavericks Technical Director Nico Harison said: “Defense brings NBA championships. We believe Davis is a superstar with leadership qualities, who has outstanding ability in both offense and defense. His defensive thinking is always put first.” Harison also admitted that in order for the Lakers to agree to the Davis trade, he was forced to put Doncic on the negotiating table.
With Doncic’s top-notch offensive skills, the Mavericks won the Western Conference last season, then lost 1-4 in the finals to the Boston Celtics. Without Doncic, the NBA runner-up’s offense will rely more on veteran stars Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson.
As for the Lakers, they certainly can’t fill the void left by Davis under the basket. Coach JJ Redick’s lineup, which has been playing quite well since the beginning of the season, will be immediately unbalanced in the coming games. However, the Lakers are willing to sacrifice immediate results to wait for Doncic to recover from injury in the middle of this month. At that time, the offense with LeBron James and Doncic will have to carry the entire defense that is weak without Davis. The Lakers are currently fifth in the Western Conference, while the Mavericks are ninth.
