Report: The Lakers trade Anthony Davis to the Mavs and acquire Luka Doncic
ESPN said early Sunday morning that the Lakers and Mavericks had consummated a trade that will send Anthony Davis to Dallas and Luka Doncic to Los Angeles, sending the NBA community into a frenzy.
According to the source, the Mavericks will acquire Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick, while the Lakers would also receive Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris.
According to ESPN, the Lakers will give up Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round draft pick to the Jazz, who are also engaged in the transaction. Additionally, Dallas is sending Utah a 2025 second-round pick.
Nico Harrison, general manager of the Mavericks, said ESPN, “I think defense wins championships.” “I think we have a better chance if we have an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mentality. We are designed to succeed both now and in the future.
Doncic was offered by Dallas to the Lakers, and according to ESPN, Los Angeles thought the five-time All-Star had what it took to be the team’s face eventually. He will be playing with LeBron James, who is in his 22nd NBA season, for the time being.
According to ESPN, James was not told that such a deal was imminent, and Doncic, Davis, players, and several coaches on both teams were also in the dark. On Saturday night, James was out to supper with his family when he finally learned about the move.
Doncic, Davis, Kleber, and Hood-Schifino are all presently out with injury. Davis recently went down on Tuesday with a strained abdominal muscle, while Doncic hasn’t played since Christmas Day because of a strained left calf.
Although Doncic’s comeback date is not determined, the Mavericks stated that he would be reassessed in roughly a month after the 25-year-old was placed on the bench. At some point next week, Davis will undergo another evaluation.
According to ESPN’s story, Doncic has always struggled to maintain his health, and Dallas was annoyed by his inadequate diet and exercise. According to the organization, those two elements were major contributors to Doncic’s injury-related absences, which led the Mavericks to trade him.
Kleber has a fractured right foot and hasn’t played since January 25. Hood-Schifino hasn’t played since December 1 and was utilized minimally in Los Angeles due to a strained left hamstring.
In 22 games (all starts) this season, Doncic has averaged 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists. The Hawks selected him third overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, and he has only played for Dallas in his seven-year career. In return for Trae Young’s draft rights, Atlanta gave his draft rights to the Mavericks.
Throughout the 2024–25 season, the 31-year-old Davis has averaged 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.1 blocks in 42 games (all starts). He has been selected to the All-NBA All-Defensive Team five times, the All-Star Team ten times (including this season), and the All-Defensive Team five times.
This season, Kleber—who turned 33 on Wednesday—averages 3.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. He has made 34 appearances, including four starts.
Morris, 35, is averaging 1.7 points and 1.1 rebounds per game and has appeared off the bench in seven games.
Hood-Schifino, 21, has averaged 2.0 points in just two games.
The Lakers finished Saturday’s games with a 28-19 record, enough for fifth place in the Western Conference. In eighth place (26-23), the Mavericks were three spots behind them.
