The NBA world was rocked to its core on February 2nd as insider Shams Charania reported a seismic three-team trade involving the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Utah Jazz. The Lakers acquired Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris, while the Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick. Meanwhile, the Jazz got Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2025 Clippers second-round pick, and a 2025 Mavericks second-round pick.
The unexpected nature of this trade sent shockwaves across the basketball community, with many questioning why both the Lakers and Mavericks would part ways with their franchise cornerstones. Shams himself had to emphasize that his account was not hacked—this was, in fact, a real deal.
So why did this happen? According to sources, the Mavericks reached out to the Lakers with a proposal, leading to a Lakers front-office discussion that ultimately convinced them that the 25-year-old Doncic was their long-term successor to LeBron James. Meanwhile, the Mavericks saw an opportunity to add a dominant defensive force in Anthony Davis to bolster their championship aspirations. The two sides quickly found common ground, bringing in the Jazz as a third-party facilitator.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon provided further insight, stating that Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison firmly believes that elite defense is the key to winning a championship. “I believe that having one of the best defensive centers and one of the most defensively aware NBA stars gives us a better chance to win, both now and in the future. That was our motivation for acquiring Davis,” Harrison explained.
Beyond the immediate impact, MacMahon also shed light on the real reason behind Dallas’ willingness to trade Doncic. The organization had growing concerns over his long-term contract extension and recurring health issues. Having made multiple All-NBA teams, Doncic was eligible for a supermax contract extension worth $342 million over five years, set to start in the 2026-27 season. The deal’s initial salary would be a staggering $59.71 million, escalating to an eye-watering $78.82 million in its final year. With Mark Cuban no longer the team’s primary owner, the new leadership seemed reluctant to commit such a massive financial investment to one player.
There’s no doubt this trade sent shockwaves throughout the league. It’s a thunderbolt that revitalizes the trade market and raises countless questions: Can Doncic thrive as the new face of the Lakers? Will Anthony Davis elevate the Mavericks to title contention? The answers will unfold as the season progresses. Buckle up, because this NBA season just got a whole lot more interesting.
