In one of the most unexpected moves in NBA history, the Dallas Mavericks traded their franchise cornerstone, Luka Doncic, to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal that sent shockwaves through the basketball world. Doncic, drafted in 2018 as the heir to Dirk Nowitzki, had become one of the league's premier talents, leading the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024. His departure marked a significant shift for both franchises.
The trade, finalized on February 2, 2025, involved a three-team deal with the Utah Jazz. The Lakers acquired Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris, while the Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77),
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77),
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd recently shared his perspective on the trade during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show. Kidd revealed that he learned about the deal from general manager Nico Harrison approximately an hour before it became public.
"I was told by my boss Nico," Kidd said. "That we were gonna make a change... He said the news was gonna hit in an hour... There was no arguing. This is what's gonna take place... I put my phone down and looked at the ceiling and started trying to brainstorm how this is going to go down."
Doncic joined the Lakers and delivered strong performances, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. Despite his efforts, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, leading to questions about team dynamics and future strategies.
The Mavericks, on the other hand, faced challenges integrating Davis, who played only nine regular-season games due to injuries. Dallas missed the playoffs, but a silver lining emerged when they secured the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, with expectations to select top prospect Cooper Flagg.