The LA Lakers and Dallas Mavericks trade was one of the biggest ever seen in the NBA.
Let’s delve into everything you need to know about the Luka Doncic to LA Lakers trade that stunned the entire NBA, especially the Dallas Mavericks fanbase, leaving fans in Los Angeles overjoyed.
Doncic and Davis trade full details
Dallas Mavericks acquire:
Anthony DavisMax Christie2029 first round pick
LA Lakers acquire:
Luka DoncicMaxi KleberMarkieff Morris
Utah Jazz acquire:
Jalen-Hood Schifino2025 second round pick2025 second round pick (via Clippers)
When was Luka Doncic traded
Luka Doncic was traded on February 2, before the NBA trade deadline, and it was a transaction nobody saw coming, also on the Anthony Davis side.
The trade was conducted in secret, initiated by Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison, via his close relations with LA counterpart Rob Pelinka, who was stunned to be approached about the move.
Lakers president Jeanie Buss was one of the few individuals who knew in advance. Buss later revealed they were fearful the team could be negatively impacted if the news leaked out and the deal fell through.
Why was Luka Doncic traded and what the Dallas Mavericks said
Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison focused on the team’s desire to acquire Anthony Davis, and improve their defense.
“The players that we’re bringing in, we believe, exemplify that [culture]. Defense wins championships, and we’re bringing in one of the best two-way players in the league.”
Talk turned to Dallas wanting to improve their culture, viewed as a dig at Luka Doncic, “I’m not going to talk bad about any players, like that’s not going to do us or me any good. I’ll just say there’s levels to it.
“There’s people that fit the culture and there’s people that come in and add to the culture. And those are two distinct things. And I believe the people that are coming in are adding to the culture.”
One of the biggest issues for Dallas was the team’s reluctance to pay Luka Doncic the supermax extension. This tied into his 2024-25 injury record, with the Mavs fearing a Joel Embiid scenario.
Harrison explained: “There’s some unique things about [Doncic’s] contract that we had to pay attention to. There’s other teams that were loading up that he was going to be able to decide and make his own decision at some point about whether he wants to be here or not.
“Whether we want to supermax him or not. Whether he wants to opt out. So, I think we had to take all of that into consideration, and I feel like we got out in front of what could’ve been a tumultuous summer.”
Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban apparently tried to stop the trade, but it was too late. Dallas CEO Rick Welts had explained the team are trying to move forward with a new identity for their new ownership group.
Team governor Patrick Dumont waded into the controversy, making comments that were heavily criticized about Doncic lacking focus.
He said: “In my mind, the way teams win is by focus, by having the right character, by having the right culture and having the right dedication to work as hard as possible to create a championship-winning outcome. And if you’re not doing that, you’re going to lose.
“If you look at the greats in the league, the people you and I grew up with – Jordan, Bird, Kobe, Shaq — they worked really hard, every day, with a singular focus to win. And if you don’t have that, it doesn’t work. And if you don’t have that, you shouldn’t be part of the Dallas Mavericks.”
Dumont was also criticized for following Harrison’s lead and signing off on the trade, ultimately his responsibility.
NBA insider Marc Spears claimed the beginning of the end were in the Mavericks’ Finals loss to the Boston Celtics, when Doncic was outplayed by Jaylen Brown.
Luka Doncic first press conference
Luka Doncic held his first press conference on the LA Lakers on February 4, where he was still shellshocked.
Doncic explained: “That first day was really hard. These last 48 hours felt like a month. Emotionally, it was really hard. Today was much better. I’m just very happy to be here, for this opportunity. This is the Lakers, one of the best clubs in history, so I’m excited to be here.”
The Slovenian was given the LA Lakers number 77 jersey, the same he wore in Dallas, becoming the first ever member of the Lakers franchise to wear the number.
General manager Rob Pelinka added: “I think Luka Doncic joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic event in NBA history.
“We have a 25-year-old global superstar that’s going to get on the stage of the most popular and influential basketball brand on the globe. When those two forces come together, it brings basketball joy to the world because that’s how Luka plays. He plays with joy.”
Reaction to the LA Lakers trade
The NBA world was stunned by the trade, including Lakers defender Max Christie, sent to Dallas as part of the deal. He said he spent two hours ‘on the floor’ after learning the news.
Reactions were incredulous that the Mavericks had traded away a franchise cornerstone. The following night Mavs fans brought a coffin to the arena. Chants of ‘Fire Nico’ were heard outside for the subsequent game, while for their first home game, dissenting fans were ejected from the arena.
Anthony Davis suffered an injury in his first game on the team, adding to the frustrations for the Mavericks, subsequently ruled out of action for a month and missing the first showdown with the Lakers.
Rick Welts admitted the Mavericks ‘underestimated’ the fallout of the trade, and a special meeting was held with staff to placate concerns. Former star Jalen Rose urged the ownership to ‘sell the team’.
Rose added: “Each of us have been traded. Normally when your about to get traded, here comes out negative things about your character publicly.
“I don’t like that it happened with Luka before he got traded and after he got traded.”
Rob Pelinka met Luka Doncic at the airport following his move, with JJ Redick making an immediate visit to his hotel to welcome his new star player.
Shaquille O’Neal praised Luka Doncic’s early press conference where he chose to ‘take the high road’ and not respond to the Mavericks comments or leaks.
Former Laker O’Neal said: “Kudos to Luka for being professional. He’s better than I am. ’cause I would’ve went clean off.”
Charles Barkley claimed LeBron James and Luka Doncic would not be able to play together, an estimation quickly refuted with the way they gelled so well. The pair combined brilliantly in their first month, with Doncic posting a triple-double against his former team in the first meeting, a 107-99 win.
Subsequent praise has even seen the claim made that Doncic could become James’ best ever teammate, while NBA stars Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic asserted that both teams can benefit from the trade.
