The trade of Luka Doncic to the Lakers, and Anthony Davis to the Mavericks, which sent shockwaves throughout the NBA is now official. Yet it still seems surreal.
For the record, it also involved the Utah Jazz and other players and picks. So let’s take a look at who won, who lost, and who finished somewhere in between. Assuming there are winners and losers.
LAKERS
Receive: Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris.
Doncic alongside LeBron James? It’s hard to go wrong with that plan, even just on paper. On the court, it could be something we’ve rarely seen, despite the fact James is 40 years old.
Both are super duper stars with size who can score, pass, rebound … you name it.
The question is, what will the Lakers do about the frontcourt? As the roster stands today, Christian Koloko is the only true center, and the likes of Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith will have to play power forward.
So the days of Davis’ outstanding rim-protection are long gone. And it’s not like the Lakers have a bunch of defenders who can keep opponents from getting inside the paint.
Something will have to be done about that — and trust us, the Lakers already know that. They still have until the NBA trade deadline (or Thursday at 3 p.m. EST) to fix it. So for now, perhaps the grade is incomplete.
But adding a player such as Doncic alone, for now, is reason to believe LA helped itself in both the present and set itself up for the future. That’s the best thing you can do in a deal. Grade: A.
MAVERICKS
Receive: Davis, Max Christie, 2029 second-round pick.
Unlike the Lakers, the Mavs are now littered with big men, from Davis to Daniel Gafford to P.J. Washington to Dereck Lively II when he returns from injury.
They still have a potent one-two punch in Davis and Kyrie Irving to boot. But this is a completely different Dallas team without Doncic and coach Jason Kidd will have to get creative and revamp the entire offense.
Defense at the basket and rebounding, however, should not be an issue.
While Davis is among the NBA’s elite all-around players, he turns 32 next month and has spent way too much time on the injured list. So it’s fair to ask why the Mavs didn’t hold out for more (Hacimura? Austin Reaves? Dalton Knecht?).
No matter, the deal is what it is. Dallas should still be very good, but whether it’s return-to-the-Finals good … well, it’s hard to see that being the case. Grade: B-minus.
JAZZ
Receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 second-round pick from Mavs; 2025 second-round pick via Clippers.
Hood-Schifino isn’t known by even some die-hard fans, yet he’s about to go down in NBA lore as one of the players in this deal. He also could receive a real opportunity for meaningful playing time with the rebuilding Jazz, who are in the auditioning stage as a franchise.
So Utah likes to take long looks at guys while taking its lumps. And knowing CEO Danny Ainge, those second-rounders could eventually be flipped for a late first. Grade: C.
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Not only a grands slam move on its own. The potential for more movement that it creates. With five full days to go!
Games played this season and last:
Anthony Davis 118
Luka Doncic 92
Zion Williamson 83
Evan Mobley 93
Jason Tatum 120
Jayson Brown 112
Bam Adebayo 117
Jaren Jackson Jr 112
Alperen Sengun 109
Nic Claxton 113
And AD will now play power forward and be less wear on body.
Love the trade for Dallas. Max Christie and frpick and under cap (15million cash basically) aren’t nothing.
We’ll see how LeBron and Luka share the ball.
Sam it’s a first round pick. Not a second.