The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks shocked the NBA world just after midnight on Sunday with a blockbuster trade involving two of the league’s biggest stars: Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis.
Doncic, a 25-year-old superstar who led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season, now has a chance to chase a championship alongside LeBron James in Los Angeles.
ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news, reporting, “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.”
Shortly after the trade made waves on social media, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported James found out about it while “out to dinner with family” and was “surprised by the news.”
“LeBron James learned of the Davis-Doncic trade after the Knicks game when it broke while he was out to dinner with his family, sources close to James told ESPN,” McMenamin wrote. “James was surprised by the news, is processing it and had no idea it was in the works, sources said.”
While many around the league were surprised to see the Mavs part ways with Doncic, Dallas general manager Nico Harrison told ESPN, “I believe that defense wins championships. 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.”
After the Lakers’ win over the New York Knicks on Saturday night, they now sit at 28-19 on the season and fifth in the Western Conference.
The Mavericks, on the other hand, did not play Saturday night. They hold a record of 26-23 and sit at eighth in the West.
