- The move comes as a seismic shock to the sport as Doncic is a five-time All-Star
- It is part of a three-way deal between the Mavericks, Lakers and Utah Jazz
- Here is all you need to know about why Dallas chose to trade away their star
One of the biggest trades in recent NBA history reportedly took place overnight in a switch that sees Luka Doncic move to the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to a report from ESPN, the Lakers are sending Anthony Davis, a 2029 first-round pick and Max Christie to the Mavericks, in exchange for Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris.
As part of the three-way trade, Utah Jazz are set to receive Jalen Hood-Schifino from the Lakers, a Mavericks 2025 second-round pick and a 2025 Clippers second-rounder from the Lakers.
The move comes as a seismic shock to the sport given that Doncic, 25, could have signed a five-year contract extension with the Mavericks this summer, worth a staggering $345million.
But how exactly does the trade affect the team involved and why have the Mavericks chosen to trade Doncic – a five-time NBA All-Star – to the Lakers?
Read on below for everything you need to know about the trade.
Why are the Dallas Mavericks trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers?
It may be seen as a ridiculous decision in the minds of Mavericks fans for the franchise to trade their star player, but there were said to be a number of underlying reasons for Dallas sanctioning the move.
ESPN journalist Tim McMahon claimed that the Mavericks were reluctant to give Doncic another contract extension due to ‘constant conditioning issues’.
The Mavericks were also said to be irked by ‘Doncic’s lack of discipline regarding his diet’.
Reporter Marc Stein added that the Slovenian did not request to be traded, noting that it was the franchise’s decision to do so.
For the Lakers, Doncic is seen as the heir-apparent to future Hall of Fame candidate LeBron James who is in the twilight of his career aged 40.
Unusually for such a high-profile trade, the Lakers also benefitted by not having to give the Mavericks too much draft capital in exchange for Doncic – as they relinquished their 2029 first-round draft pick.
The deal was also said to have been set up to keep Dallas below the threshold line for the league’s Luxury Tax.
It comes less than a year after the Mavericks made the NBA Finals led by Doncic and Kyrie Irving, before the team fell to the Boston Celtics in five games.
The Lakers are fifth in the Western Conference but have struggled to contend for a championship after winning the title in the 2019-20 season.
Their move has shocked NBA fans across the globe, with many fans and media wondering if ESPN’s Shams Charania had been hacked.
Even LeBron James was unaware that trade talks were ongoing, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, as he learned about the deal breaking while at dinner and was said to be ‘surprised’ at the news.
Doncic will get a chance to face his old team when the Lakers host the Mavs on February 25.
