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A surprising Los Angeles Lakers win over the New York Knicks apparently wasn’t enough to keep the band together. However, a victory without Anthony Davis could have been the writing on the wall.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Davis-James era in LA is officially over, as is the Kyrie Irving-Luka Doncic experiment in Dallas.
“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,” Charania tweeted late Saturday night.
A blockbuster trade has been reported in which the Lakers will receive Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris. In return, the Dallas Mavericks will receive Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and the Lakers’ first-round pick in 2029. The Utah Jazz were also involved in the deal, as they’ll receive Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Los Angeles Clippers’ second-round pick in 2025, and the ‘Mavs’ second-round pick this year.
Trade whispers are usually heard around the league, or players make their transgressions known (we’re looking at you, Jimmy Butler), but Charania appeared on ESPN to say that this surprised players and coaches on both sides. That even goes for LeBron James, who’s notoriously nicknamed LeGM for allegedly pulling strings behind the scenes to create a supporting cast for himself.
“This deal materialized in the shadows and came out of nowhere. This is definitely one of the most stunning trades that I’ve been a part of in recent NBA history,” Charania said on Sportscenter. “LeBron James had no idea this was coming. Anthony Davis had no idea this was coming. I’m told Luka Doncic is still stunned about this trade.”
The idea first came to mind a few days ago when the Mavericks approached the Lakers, saying that Doncic was up for grabs due to his “lack of discipline regarding his diet and conditioning.” Despite Davis never being offered, the Lakers front office knew they’d have to give up a lot for the 25-year-old Slovenian superstar.
With Davis on the Mavs, the team thinks a bolstered defense will help them make a deep playoff run later this year and beyond.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison told ESPN. “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.”
James reportedly found out while he was out to dinner with family in NYC after defeating the Knicks.
See how social media is reacting to the shocking trade below.