In 1989, the Dallas Cowboys traded Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings. Nearly 70 years earlier, the Boston Red Sox nestled into a curse by trading Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. In hockey, Edmonton sent Wayne Gretsky to the Los Angeles Kings, which stunned the world.
Many people consider these among the most shocking trades in sports history.
Now, we can add the Luka Doncic trade to that list.
Around midnight on Feb. 2, ESPN.com’s Shams Charania broke the shocking news that the Los Angeles Lakers had acquired a package headlined by Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. In return, Dallas received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Three-team deal that includes Utah.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
And no, his X account was not hacked.
Yes, this is real. Sources tell ESPN: Full trade:
– Lakers: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
– Mavericks: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LAL 1st
– Jazz: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Clippers 2nd, 2025 Mavericks 2nd https://t.co/bltojdTaQj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
What the trade means for the Lakers
From the Lakers’ perspective, this is a home run deal with the future of 40-year-old LeBron James in question. This provides the Lakers with a young superstar — who is a top-five player in the league — to build around before James retires.
The Lakers have two Western Conference Finals appearances since winning the NBA Finals in 2020. With a first-round exit last year to the Denver Nuggets, it became clear serious changes were needed to get back to the finals. Los Angeles currently sits at 28-19, fifth place in the Western Conference, and has positioned itself in an interesting spot after trading for Doncic.
Doncic hasn’t played since Christmas after suffering a left calf contusion, but when healthy, it raises many questions for the remainder of the season. Can a James and Doncic duo beat Oklahoma City? Will trading for Doncic be enough to capitalize on the twilight years of James’ career?
The new starting five of Doncic, Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith/Rui Hachimura, James, and Jaxson Hayes seems formidable, but the team still needs a starting center to put them over the top.
Lakers fans: Would you pursue Deandre Ayton?
Some people in the live chat mentioned him as a player they’d want. Personally I think Ayton is too costly at $34M. I’d much rather target cheaper options.
Claxton $27M
Capela $22M
Vooch $20M
Turner $20M
Poeltl $19M
Okongwu $14M
Rob… https://t.co/vdMf4ps0kv— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 2, 2025
But for now, the Lakers did what they needed to do: prepare for a new chapter once James retires.
What the trade means for the Mavericks
Trading a 25-year-old, five-time NBA All-Star in their prime should come as a shock to Mavericks fans this morning — especially after the team made the NBA Finals last season.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Doncic did not request a trade. Rather, the Mavericks approached the Lakers with a trade package centered around Doncic.
Luka Dončić did NOT request a trade, league sources tell @TheSteinLine.
The Mavericks did this on their own accord, getting back Anthony Davis but only one future first-round pick from the Lakers in 2029 for a 25-year-old regarded as a future MVP.
More NBA from me;… https://t.co/zL5E08wroD
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 2, 2025
Dallas reportedly showed concerns with Doncic’s conditioning, which left them hesitant about signing him to a supermax contract this upcoming summer.
The Mavs had major concerns about moving forward with Luka Doncic due to his constant conditioning issues and the looming commitment of another supermax contract extension this summer, sources told ESPN.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 2, 2025
In return for Doncic, the highlight of the trade is the Mavericks are acquiring superstar Anthony Davis. At 31 years old, he’s in the prime of his career. This season and next are likely the best the team will see out of Davis before his eventual decline.
Dallas pairs Davis with Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks’ lineup of Irving, Klay Thompson, Quentin Grimes, Davis, and Daniel Gafford is still one of the better starting fives the league has to offer. Now, however, the biggest question that surrounds Dallas is: what will the team look like when Irving and Davis go past their prime? Who do they build around for their future?
Dallas is a playoff team and will make some noise in the postseason. However, life after Doncic may haunt them for years to come.
What the trade means for the rest of the league
This blockbuster trade kicks off trade season ahead of the NBA’s trade deadline on Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. It could spell a chain reaction for other teams to capitalize on their future, or even go all-in to counteract this Earth-shattering move.
KD & Beals reaction to the Luka, AD trade 😳
(h/t @adryanashton)
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) February 2, 2025
“It’s crazy man. I really don’t know what to say about it. Luka being a guy that everybody has claimed is untouchable and untradeable. The NBA shows you again.”
Devin Booker on colossal Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade.
“It’s a business. They’re always having a conversation… pic.twitter.com/p2DdVR7u3N
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 2, 2025
Will the Jimmy Butler trade saga end this week? Will the Warriors blow it up? Can the Bucks make one last desperation move? If trades like this are happening, it can spell for even more to come by Thursday.
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