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 as part of a shocking three-team deal that also includes the Utah Jazz, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Jazz are receiving Jalen Hood-Schifino and the Los Angeles Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick from the Lakers, as well as the Mavericks’ 2025 second-rounder, Charania reports.
Dallas recently approached the Lakers and offered them the five-time All-Star guard, Charania reports, citing sources. The Mavericks acted of their own accord, not based on any trade request from the 25-year-old Doncic, sources told NBA insider Marc Stein.
Neither Doncic or Davis were aware of the ongoing trade talks between both clubs, and the former is still stunned by the deal, reports Charania.
Lakers superstar LeBron James only learned of the blockbuster following Saturday’s contest against the New York Knicks while he was out for dinner with his family, sources told Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
Dallas had major concerns about moving forward with Doncic due to constant conditioning issues and the potential commitment of another supermax extension in the offseason, sources told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Mavs general manager Nico Harrison told MacMahon regarding his motivation to make the shocking trade for Davis. “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.”
Doncic is no longer eligible to receive a five-year, $345-million supermax extension this summer, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. The Lakers are able to offer five years and $229 million.
Doncic is currently sidelined with a calf strain but was targeting a Feb. 8 return, sources told Stein.
The Lakers and Mavs will meet Feb. 25 in Dallas and Apr. 9 in Los Angeles.
Doncic is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 boards, 7.8 assists, and two steals across 22 appearances this season. He’s been a perennial MVP candidate since entering the Association as a teenager, finishing in the top eight in voting in each of the previous five campaigns. The Mavericks made it to the NBA Finals last year, falling to the Boston Celtics in five games.
Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Davis has posted 25.7 points, 11.9 boards, 3.4 assists, and 2.1 blocks per contest over 42 appearances this season. The 10-time All-Star has long been one of the NBA’s premier interior defenders, topping the league in blocks on three occasions and earning five NBA All-Defensive team selections. The Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of last year’s postseason.
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