The Trade that Broke the Internet
Luka Doncic is gone. This was the reality Mavericks fans around the world were greeted with in the early morning hours of February 2, 2025. Many believed it was fake—a hoax—or that someone had been hacked. But, out of the blue, Luka Doncic had become a Laker.
The trade itself was a three-team deal in which the Lakers acquired Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris, and cash ($55K from the Utah Jazz). The Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick, and cash ($55K from the Utah Jazz). Meanwhile, the Jazz acquired Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick (from the Lakers), and the Mavericks’ 2025 second-round pick. Some called this blockbuster deal the biggest trade in NBA history, and it was certainly one of the most shocking the league had ever seen.
People were seen burning their Doncic jerseys on the streets of Dallas. Death threats were sent to the Mavericks' GM. Lifelong fans struggled to make sense of why their team would even consider trading away the best player they had had in years.
“I think it shows players around the league that the place or team you play for isn't guaranteed, no matter how good you are,” Noah Aukerman, 11, said.
However, the argument for the trade had some logic behind it. Reports suggested that Doncic was becoming increasingly overweight, raising concerns about his conditioning. Additionally, the Mavericks, as a smaller-market team, couldn’t afford to offer him a supermax extension and wanted to get something in return before he became a free agent.
Yet, my take on the situation is this: Luka Doncic is a superstar. He is a top-five player in the NBA and a future Hall of Famer. That means everyone else on the team is expendable. If you need to trade or cut players to free up money to keep Luka, you do it. If you have Luka on your team, you have a chance to contend for a championship. You never trade a player like that—no matter the circumstances, even if you're tight on cash.
Now, the second part of this trade is Anthony Davis. Davis is one of the best rim protectors and inside scorers of his era. He was the driving force behind the Lakers’ 2020 Finals run and has been named to the All-Defensive First Team five times in his career. That means the return the Mavericks received ensures they stay competitive, even without a true superstar. Kyrie Irving and Davis can be a lethal combination if used correctly, and barring any major injuries, this team could still make a deep playoff run.
The shock waves from this trade are still reverberating through the NBA, and both fan bases—especially the Mavericks'—are struggling to cope with the loss of one of their favorite players.
Other Big Trades:
Zach LaVine goes to the Kings in a three-way deal that included All-Star De’Aaron Fox heading to the Spurs.
Jimmy Butler got his wish of leaving Miami after a standoff that led to three team-issued suspensions. He was traded to the Warriors for multiple players and draft picks, including Andrew Wiggins.
Former All-Star Brandon Ingram was traded to the struggling Raptors, who are hoping he can spark a late-season turnaround.
The Cavaliers made an under-the-radar move by acquiring De’Andre Hunter, a breakout player this season, to fill their hole at small forward.