In a shocking turn of events, the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas. The trade, finalized on February 2, 2025, stunned the NBA world, as neither team had publicly indicated a willingness to part with their superstar players. According to reports, Mavericks CEO Nico Harrison initiated the trade talks with Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, catching many—including Dončić himself—off guard.
Mavericks insiders revealed that financial concerns played a role in the decision. Dončić was eligible for a massive $345 million supermax extension, which the Mavericks were hesitant to offer due to concerns about his conditioning and injury history. Meanwhile, Dallas saw an opportunity to bolster their defense by acquiring Davis, a proven All-Defensive player.
The Lakers, on the other hand, were eager to secure their long-term future. By bringing in Dončić, they now have a young superstar who could eventually take over as the face of the franchise after LeBron James’ eventual departure. The trade also included additional pieces, with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris heading to Los Angeles, while Dallas received Max Christie and a future first-round pick. The Utah Jazz acted as a third-party facilitator, absorbing Jalen Hood-Schifino’s salary.
Dončić expressed shock at the trade, stating, “I thought I’d spend my career here” in reference to Dallas, where he had played since 2018. The Mavericks, meanwhile, thanked Dončić for his contributions, acknowledging his role in leading the team to the NBA Finals in 2024.
Both players were injured at the time of the trade but have since debuted for their new teams. Davis made a strong impact for Dallas before suffering another injury, while Dončić quickly formed a new “Big Three” in L.A. alongside LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
