Four Angles in the Aftermath of the Blockbuster AD-Luka Trade

There are very few events in the world years in the future people ask where were you when..? In sports, the list includes the Miracle on Ice, Kirk Gibson’s World Series Home Run, Michael Jordan’s last shot in Utah to clinch the three-peat, and the Red Sox’s comeback in the 2004 ALCS Comeback. On Sunday, February 2, at 12:12 AM, while most of the world was asleep, ESPN Basketball Insider, Shams Charania delivered another of those moments. Shams tweeted a Breaking News, “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. The three-team deal that includes Utah.”

Many instantly speculated that Charania must have been hacked by white hat hackers seeking a ransom for the release of his social media account. Then, the information was confirmed quickly by other networks, and reality set in that we were witnessing the most shocking blockbuster trade perhaps in sports history. So, what are the repercussions of this stunning transaction for all involved? In this article, we will discuss the implications for the Mavericks, Lakers, Luka Doncic, and Anthony Davis.

The Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks have won one NBA Championship when Dirk Nowitzki propelled them to the top in 2011. Last season, the team made its third appearance in the NBA Finals, led by the tandem of Luca Doncic and Kyrie Irving. However, they struggled to contain an imperious Boston Celtics squad that had not won a title since 2008. Despite the disappointment, fans felt this team could use the setback to fuel the fire and exact their revenge this season. The Mavericks were 26-23 before the trade, Doncic was injured, and the team was hovering in the play-in area of the Western Conference standings. Yet, it is remarkable that they felt the trading of their superstar would be the catalyst towards winning the title. The reports indicate the team was concerned about Doncic’s diet and conditioning. Ultimately, I believe General Manager Nico Harrison and the owners could not stomach giving Luka a 5-year deal worth a 345-million-dollar super-max extension, making him the highest earner ever in the league. The Mavericks are now facing backlash from their fans, including a group that protested outside the arena. The Mavericks did not shop Luca for a bigger deal that could have included multiple first-round picks. The only justification for this deal is to win a championship quickly.

The Lakers

After winning the title in 2020, the Los Angeles Lakers have struggled to advance far into the playoffs except for their run to the Conference Finals in 2023. Before the trade, the Lakers have played good basketball having won 8 of their last 10 games and 5th in the standings. In fact, their most recent win was a signature win over the New York Knicks to end their East coast road trip on a high. Therefore, it was a surprise to hear that the Lakers were making a seismic trade. However, Rob Pelinka should be congratulated because his franchise seized the opportunity to acquire a top 3 player in the league at age 25 before entering his prime. The deal weakened the team, with Davis and Max Christie providing defensive stability that led to the upsurge in wins. However, in the long term, the Lakers will be better with Doncic for the next decade potentially and attract free agents in a marque market in the NBA.

Luka Doncic

These two players were shocked to be part of this transaction. They became the first All-NBA players to be traded for each other in NBA history. Doncic should feel grieved that the Mavericks gave up on him, failed to communicate with him, and cost him nearly 100 million dollars for his super-max contract. Luka will need to lean on Lebron, who optimally cares for his conditioning and demonstrates the leadership abilities necessary to win a championship. Doncic will be highly motivated to make the Mavericks bet against his will to lead them to a championship. The Lakers roster will need some tweaking, especially on the defensive end, which will curtail their championship aspirations this season.

Anthony Davis

A few days before the trade, Davis publicly demanded that the Lakers acquire a center, which could have been the last straw for the team. In Dallas, Davis will have two players, Derrick Lively and Daniel Gafford, who can play in the center position. It means that defensively, Davis will be able to roam and be a massive presence on that end. Offensively, he feasts on mismatches based on his size and versatility. However, the pressure is on Davis and the Mavericks to win now because teams like the Spurs, Thunder, Rockets, and now the Lakers will primed to win soon.