Lakers, Jazz, and Mavericks pull off blockbuster trade of the century

The Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks have completed one of the most unbelievable trades in recent memory. In a three-team deal, the Mavericks will receive Anthony Davis from the Lakers and their 2029 first-round pick. The Lakers will acquire Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris. The Jazz will receive Jalen Hood-Schifino, the LA Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick, and the Mavericks’ 2025 second-round pick.
I was truly at a loss for words when I heard about this trade. I couldn’t quite understand the reasoning behind it from either team. The Mavericks just reached the NBA Finals last season, losing to the Boston Celtics in five games. The Lakers were a playoff team last season, and LeBron James and Davis already won a championship together in 2020.
It remains uncertain whether this will be the final move for either team before the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 6 at 3 p.m., but we will have to wait and see what unfolds in the coming days. Currently, both teams are in the playoff race, sitting at fifth and eighth in the standings, respectively. A midseason trade of this magnitude makes it difficult to predict how both teams will fare moving forward.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, explaining his motivation to trade Dončić 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.”
According to league sources, trade talks between the teams were initiated by Dallas. Sources also stated there were ongoing concerns within the Mavericks organization about Dončić’s conditioning, which they believe has contributed to several injuries throughout his career.
“As we turn the page, I think it’s important to know that [Mavericks coach Jason Kidd] and I have had a vision and a culture that we want to create since we arrived,” Harrison said before Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. “The players that we’re bringing in, we believe, exemplify that. We think defense wins championships, and we’re bringing in one of the best two-way players in the league.”
It appears the entire Lakers front office, ownership group, and coaching staff were all on board with the trade. They were excited about the opportunity to acquire a 25-year-old superstar of Dončić’s caliber.
I understand that Dončić is about six years younger than Davis, but I wonder how he will coexist with LeBron. It took a while for Dončić and Kyrie Irving to get on the same page. The question now is: How long will it take for Dončić and LeBron to gel? We all know LeBron is one of the most adaptable players in NBA history, but both he and Dončić are ball-dominant with high usage rates. Who will take the lead role?
“Luka is a one-of-a-kind, young global superstar who will lead this franchise for years to come,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said in a statement released by the team Sunday. “His killer instincts and commitment to winning championships will be a driving force for the team. We will be relentless in building a roster around the on-court vision Coach [JJ] Redick has for this basketball team, and there is an unwavering commitment to that work to serve our loyal and dedicated fans. We are grateful for today and look forward to what’s next.”
What I find most surprising is that LeBron James wasn’t aware of the trade or even the possibility of it. Apparently, James found out about the trade while he was out to dinner with family following Saturday’s game against the New York Knicks in New York City. Sources close to the Lakers say he was surprised and somewhat blindsided by the move.
With all of the transactions the Lakers have made during LeBron’s tenure, I assumed he would have been aware of the trade before the Lakers finalized it. It remains to be seen how he will react to the news, even though sources say he plans to stay with the Lakers beyond Thursday’s trade deadline.
This trade is even more stunning when you realize it marks the first time two reigning All-NBA players have been traded for each other during the season. Even players around the league were stunned upon hearing the news.
Players such as Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Tristan Thompson, and Jalen Brunson all took to social media to express their surprise. Clearly, even players within the league recognize how shocking this move is.
After reviewing several reports, it seems that, in addition to concerns about Dončić’s conditioning, the Mavericks were also worried about his contract situation. He would have been eligible for a five-year, $345 million supermax contract with Dallas.
Now with the Lakers, Dončić can sign only a five-year, $229 million extension—a potential loss of $116 million. He must be upset about that. The Dallas front office likely took that into consideration before making the trade.
I am still processing the news. Seeing Dončić in a Lakers uniform and Davis in a Mavericks jersey will take some getting used to. However, I am eager to see which team ultimately benefits the most from this blockbuster trade.
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