Sports
Mavericks Shock NBA by Trading Luka Doncic to Lakers in Blockbuster Deal

CLEVELAND — In a stunning move that sent shockwaves across the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks traded 25-year-old superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a three-team deal finalized late Saturday night. The trade, which also involved the Cleveland Cavaliers, brought 31-year-old All-Star Anthony Davis to Dallas alongside promising third-year wing Max Christie and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round draft pick.
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison emphasized the importance of team culture in explaining the decision. “As we turn the page, I think it’s important to know that [Mavs coach Jason Kidd] and I, we’ve had a vision and the culture that we want to create since we’ve been here,” Harrison said before Sunday’s loss to the Cavaliers. “We think defense wins championships, and we’re bringing in one of the best two-way players in the league.”
The trade marks a dramatic shift for the Mavericks, who parted ways with Doncic just months after he led the team to the NBA Finals. Doncic, a five-time first-team All-NBA selection, has been the face of the franchise since his arrival in 2018. However, sources told ESPN that concerns about his conditioning and durability played a significant role in the decision. Doncic has missed 22 games this season due to injuries, including a left calf strain that has sidelined him since Christmas Day.
Harrison defended the move, stating, “I don’t do anything that’s scary. I think everything that we do, we put a lot of work into it. We really believe in it — and time will tell if I’m right.” He also cited Doncic’s contractual situation as a factor, noting that the Slovenian star was eligible for a five-year, $345 million supermax extension this summer. Instead, Doncic will now be eligible for a five-year, $229 million extension with the Lakers.
Doncic expressed his gratitude to Mavericks fans in a heartfelt social media post Sunday. “I thought I’d spend my career here and I wanted so badly to bring you a championship,” he wrote. “The love and support you all have given me is more than I could have ever dreamed of.”
The trade has drawn mixed reactions across the league. Mavericks fans have taken to social media and staged small protests outside the American Airlines Center, while Lakers fans celebrated the acquisition of one of the NBA’s brightest young stars. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd acknowledged the shock of the move but urged his team to move forward. “It is a little shocking, but we have to push forward,” Kidd said. “We understand what Luka has meant to the Mavericks, and we wish him and his family the best in L.A.”
Harrison remains confident that the addition of Davis, a 10-time All-Star and five-time All-Defensive Team selection, will elevate the Mavericks’ championship aspirations. “He fits our timeframe,” Harrison said. “If you pair him with [Kyrie Irving] and the rest of the guys, he fits right along with our timeframe to win now and win in the future.”
As the NBA world processes the blockbuster trade, all eyes will be on how Doncic and Davis perform in their new roles. For the Mavericks, the gamble on culture and defense over star power will be a storyline to watch in the coming seasons.