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The Trade that Rocked the NBA World
written 2/2/2025
So I wake up early this Sunday morning to go to church (lmfao y'all know that's a fuckin lie!!!), and I awaken to the news that the NBA world probably received the night before. But last night I crashed shortly after watching the Thunder beat the Kings by like 400 points
But the way I found out the news was a little out of order. When I looked at my phone, the latest notification is at the top, and it said something along the lines of "Lebron rips AD trade rumor"
Now, those of you who listened to my HoopLA podcast know how I feel about rumors. I hate em with an unmitigated passion. Rumors are like the court of public opinion (another entity I fucking hate) in that no one needs any substantial proof to start it. Any writer can just come up with any bullshit and say it's an official rumor they heard. With it being just a rumor, who the fuck is going to debunk it? NBA media press doesn't get access to the NBA for fucking rumors. I can do that from here. Y'all have credentials so you can get real inside information. So when I saw the Lebron headline, I rolled my eyes and kept scrolling assuming there was an AD rumor floating around without even opening the read
But the next headline Bleacher Report notification said, "Doncic did not request trade". Then the headline below that said, "Grading the Luka / AD trade"
Wait, what the fuck? Now I'm clicking on every link I see, and there are lots!!!
Luka Dončić Traded to Lakers; Mavs Get Anthony Davis, More in 3-Team Trade with Jazz
Whoa! Did not see this coming at all!! Here's the full breakdown:
Lakers: Luka, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris (I'ma be real, I didn't think he was still in the league. His brother prolly ain't)
Mavericks: AD, Max Christie, 2029 LAL 1st rd pick
Jazz: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Clippers 2nd rd pick, 2025 Mavericks 2nd rd pick
Aight, so in looking at the totality of this trade, we can really cross out everything except Luka and AD. No one gives a shit about Kleber, Markieff or his brother, Christie or Hood-Schifino, and we care less about the picks (2029? Smdh)
And those two names are big enough for people to be calling it one of the biggest trades in NBA history. I don't think I would take it that far, at least not yet. And I personally don't think it will ever get to that point. Maybe almost five years ago when AD won his bubble ring, I would have classified this trade as one of the biggest in history. But not now and I'll tell you why. There are a few reasons, and I'll need to include other media surrounding this story as to how I arrived at this conclusion
Let's start with the Mavs GM Nico Harrison's statement:
"I believe that defense wins championships," Mavs GM Nico Harrison told ESPN regarding his motivation to trade Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis. "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."
There's also this statement of fact from HoopsHype:
Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis is the first in-season trade in league history in which an All-NBA 1st Team selection is traded for an All-NBA 2nd Team selection
I already figured I knew but I looked it up just to make sure I didn't look stupid. And not only did I verify what I thought was right, but it also played into why I don't think this trade is as big of a deal as it seems. Luka was the 1st team selection in this scenario (along with Jokic, SGA, Giannis and Tatum, if you're wondering)
Being armed with that information and with Harrison's words in mind, he is clearly not as sold on Luka as the rest of the league. If you've watched Dallas this year you know Luka has missed A LOT of games. I mean he's barely played this year. Also don't forget that this Dallas team with Luka at the helm just made it all the way to the NBA Finals just eight months ago
The Mavericks have traded for someone, who yes has technically won a ring, but he is perhaps just as injury prone as Luka, although some could argue he's more injury prone than Luka. And that HoopsHype fact is even more interesting to me when you think about the numbers AD puts up when he's healthy. If he's healthy and doesn't miss too many games, does he make 1st team? This then all goes back to that NBA cliche, the best ability is availability
Now, let's take more words that allegedly came out of Dallas' camp, although no specific Dallas source is quoted in this comment from ESPN's Tim MacMahon
The Mavs had major concerns about moving forward with Luka Doncic due to his constant conditioning issues and the looming commitment of another supermax contract extension this summer, sources told ESPN
Compare that to what Shams is reporting
The Mavericks approached the Lakers recently and offered Luka Doncic, sources tell ESPN. Lakers brass met and believed the 25-year-old Doncic has the ability to be the face of the franchise for the next decade while giving Anthony Davis a win-now move in Dallas
You had to figure the Mavs know Luka's age vs AD's age. And yet Harrison said, "we're built to win now and in the future." There has to be more to the story. Luka being out of shape is not something that can't be fixed. But in addition to that, never mind AD's age, why would you look to replace Luka with a defensive minded big man with a tendency to get hurt? It's not like you brought in an SGA (Presti ain't that stupid) caliber player in to replace Luka. You traded for someone who, like Luka, is hurt right now! You got two superstar players being swapped, but the only thing the teams are really swapping is those player's medical bills. This is why this can't be considered all that great of a trade at this point
And to be honest, I think Dallas has some solid young big men. They were the main reason the Mavs beat my Thunder out of the playoffs last year. The only good thing Dallas will get with AD is now he can go back to playing his natural position of the 4 (although Harrison called him an all-defensive Center). Jason Kidd will probably start AD because he feels like he's supposed to. But I don't know if he should
And so far today I haven't heard anyone mention the Kyrie, AD and Klay team up. Are the Mavs a super team? What about Lebron teaming up with Luka in his 48th year in the league?
No matter what happens, one thing to me is clear. Nico Harrison does not believe the Mavs can win it all with Luka as their main piece. You see he didn't trade the other two superstars who happen to both be champions, did he? I think he realizes that the injuries of both players tend to cancel each other out. He sees AD as a defensive upgrade, and like Klay and Kyrie, he already has the hardware
Trading Luka was a bold move. I'm neither a fan of the Lakers or the Mavs, so I'm loving it for what it is. I still don't think it's as big of a deal as it was made out to be at this stage. But that doesn't mean it's still not a very interesting move. I'm a fan of creating shakeups, especially in the two basketball leagues I watch. We all make our predictions when the moves happen and it's all a fun gamble. Nico Harrison could come out of this thing looking like a super genius or a super idiot
And it's also interesting to note how the two relatively young coaches, both of whom were guards in the league, will juggle all of this. Man, I couldn't even imagine living in this day and age without League Pass. Those of you who are NBA fans that don't have it are a fucking medical mystery to me
Soooo after such a big deal trade, as you can imagine, there were lots of reactions around the association. With it being such a big deal, the first thing each team wanted to do was assure everyone this was real:
Then apparently
No clue why they decided to use this specific pic tho #weirdaf
Then there was my personal favorite reaction to the trade
Mmm Hmm KD, that was the exact same reaction we all had with your news back on the 4th of July 2016
Then Patrick Mahomes and a host of other people chimed in
Those of us who watched the NBA playoffs last year know that Mahomes is a really big Mavs fan. I'm guessing he's from there because if you've ever heard him speak, you know he's country as fuuuuuck. His sickness is totally understandable
Oh shit, what up Dwight! I thought you were dead
I don't even know what that emoji combination means. But I feel you Greek Freak
LOL
Damn, niggas in Philly apparently got a hearing problem
THEY SAID, LUKA WAS TRADED TO THE LAKERS FOR ANTHONY DAVIS, TYRESE
Hopefully the Sixers are providing hearing benefits so you can get that shit checked out
Lol I think that was a lot of our sentiments, Tyler. And you're probably going to awaken any day now to some Jimmy Butler news
Ohh shit, apparently it's all them east coast dudes. Find Tyrese Maxey's statement above and copy and paste that here
Come on man. #41 not only played his entire career with the Mavs, but he even brought em a ring in 2011, I believe. This man is the unofficial Dallas Mavericks ambassador
Embiid's ass don't even know how to cuss. Yeah MF I haven't forgotten about you getting all up in that FEMALE ref's face a couple months ago. You still a punk ass bitch
Didn't he used to play for the Cowboys? That's fucking hilarious if he did
LOL
Ha! I have no idea who you are Maxx Crosby, but your reaction actually made me lol. Yes sir, they did
Lol I have no idea who you are, or if your connection with Luka is because y'alls names rhyme, but you're MOST LIKELY not dreaming, chief
I'm not sure what this emoji is either. I'm thinking De'Aaron is in some sort of shock. But it's probably less at the trade, and more at how bad the Kings lost to my Thunder last night :)
Soooo, are we just going to act like this nigga can't spell in his own X handle? I'm guessing that's supposed to say swipe at the fox. What the fuck is swip?
Damn, then THIS nigga gets traded later today to the Spurs
Next, I'd like to provide you with this very interesting read from a writer named Brent Brooks, who is most definitely a lifelong Mavericks fan, and his thoughts on the trade I found intriguing. With everyone making it clear that no one involved asked to be traded, (oh for the record, the Lebron article slamming the trade rumors were because the guy said that there were reports Lebron had grown tired of AD and requested the trade, to which Lebron responds with "you a fuckin lie!" lmao) this isn't like when KD left to GSW or even LBJ going to Miami, because those players signed with those teams in free agency. Luka was traded so Dallas fans are pissed at the organization. And I forgot that Cuban sold his majority stake in the team, and only holds a minority stake and as such no longer has a say so in any of the team decisions
Seeing how this is going to play out is just another thing to look forward to for the rest of the season. I'm telling y'all, if you pay attention there's never a dull moment in the NBA. This is one of the many reasons I will subscribe to League Pass forever and ever
Amen
Lastly, I want to leave you with Shaun Powell's 5 takeaways from this trade from this article. I liked the breakdown
1. Why this makes sense for both teams
Dallas adds one of the game’s very best two-way players, someone who impacts outcomes at both rims. Davis doesn’t need to score to deliver victories — his rebounding and rim protection are elite. Plus, Kyrie Irving will assume Luka’s ball-handling duties. The starting five for Dallas is among the best in basketball, especially inside the paint. The Mavs have beaten West leader OKC three times this year; now just added Davis. How you just gonna throw that out there without any context? You know damn well the Thunder have not been at 100% for any of those games, and the last game they beat us SGA, Hartenstein and Chet didn't play. Come on Powell, do better!
The Lakers add another creator next to LeBron James, giving them a pair of players who make teammates better. Y'all really gone act like Lebron ain't a senior citizen in NBA years, tho? Luka also improves their outside shooting and will be warmly received both inside and outside the locker room; an ovation awaits at Crypto. Hmmm, how you know that? AD helped them win a ring, and when he started sucking the following year, Laker fans called for his head. Luka ain't won shit with the Lakers yet, so why would they give him an ovation? I'm not saying they won't. I'm just saying how do you know?
2. Why this makes no sense for either teams
Why trade Luka without letting the other 28 teams know? Why not hold an auction and get the very best combination of picks and players? Because to me, Harrison was clearly only interested specifically in AD Also, Davis is six years older with an injury history. And the Mavs already had bigs; now they have a surplus, barring another trade. Agreed, said this earlier when I dare mentioned Kidd not starting AD
The Lakers were poor defensively before the trade; now they lost their only credible defender. And defense is by far the weakest part of Luka’s game. Mmmm, remember Nico Harrison's words earlier? Plus: L.A. is now starving for not one, but two big men. There must be another deal made before Thursday’s deadline.
3. Lakers keep their “star streak” going
When the franchise was based in Minneapolis, the Lakers had Elgin Baylor, then drafted Jerry West months before moving. From that point on, with the exception of very short stretches, the Lakers made a point of getting and keeping generational talents.
That’s over 60 years … and counting, because Luka is just 25. That’s unmatched in the NBA, perhaps all professional team sports.
When Baylor retired, the Lakers had already landed Wilt Chamberlain. When Wilt and Jerry retired, the Lakers swung a deal for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. When the 1979 draft arrived, owner Jerry Buss over-ruled West, then his GM, and drafted Magic Johnson because Buss sensed star potential for a team that attracted celebrities. Dr Buss (may he R.I.P) may have made the call of the century with that move. I wonder who Jerry West (may he too R.I.P) was trying to draft instead of Magic
After Magic came Shaquille O’Neal, and West, sensing a star, swung a draft-day deal for a teenaged Kobe Bryant. After Kobe came LeBron, and his predecessor is already in-house now. Jesus christ Powell. His predec-- I've read that line countless times and you have to be referring to Luka being in-house now coming after Lebron, right? If so, I think you mean his successor dude smh. But what do I know? You're the professional writer
Luka seems “that guy” if only because of his age, All-NBA and MVP-caliber talent, ability to carry a team to the Finals and this is important — box office presence. That goes over well in a status town like LA — and with media partners who just spent billions and crave the Lakers for prime time slots. Dude, I really think everyone is overly big on Luka. Y'all are really treating this dude like he's the messiah that will deliver the Lakers. The Mavericks GM wasn't even that big on Luka. Yes, they made it to the finals last year but got their asses kicked. Clearly the GM of the Mavs didn't think they were going to return to the finals this year as is. Was he really that stupid? I don't think so. I think he sees something in the day to day with Luka that made him pull the trigger. This is a VERY big move for Dallas to get rid of their 25-year-old MVP caliber player. People are pissed at Nico and the whole Mavs brass in general, but why is nobody taking a closer look at WHY he pulled the trigger?
4. It’s the biggest trade of this generation
To be fair, the seismic shock and enormity of this trade is mainly due to the times in which we live — social media, short attention spans, no concept of history. And I would say those are all the exact same arguments that can be made as to why it's not the biggest trade of this generation. Previous trades would arguably have been bigger if these all existed earlier
Like, is this really bigger than Wilt getting traded from the San Francisco Warriors to the 76ers in his prime? What about Kareem, with an MVP and title already under his belt, getting moved from Milwaukee to L.A.? Or Julius Erving from the Nets to Sixers? Bro, I thought you said of this generation? Why tf are you bringing up Naismith himself?
So we’ll just stick with this generation and compare it to:
• Wolves send Kevin Garnett to the Celtics. Combined with Ray Allen arriving from Seattle, Boston formed a big three with Paul Pierce and won a championship in 2008. Already this has my vote for being a bigger trade of this generation
• Nuggets deal Carmelo Anthony to Knicks. Melo was a certified scorer just touching his prime, and he went to the league’s biggest market. I think this trade was more comparable to the Luka/AD trade. I don't think Luka or AD will win it all with this move any more than 'Melo did
• Lakers trade Shaq to the Heat. Shaq was still a massive presence, though not for much longer, and he did help Miami win its first title. Again, a title was involved so this one is also already bigger. It's like y'all are giving Luka and AD multiple championships with this trade now. Not five, not six.....smh
All of the above are Hall of Fame-types who also sold tickets, much like Luka. But here’s the difference: Dončić was traded for Davis, an MVP candidate when healthy. It’s the first time two All-NBA players have been swapped for each other in the middle of the season, per the Elias Sports Bureau.
5. What about LeBron?
It appears LeBron James was just as shocked as everybody else when news of the blockbuster broke while he was at dinner.
He’s the 40-year-old elephant in the room, a player still delivering solid results almost nightly, yet who’s on the clock. Does this trade help or hurt his chances at one more championship? And does he want to spend the rest of his career — which might be just one more year — with the Lakers?
LeBron wasn’t even given a heads-up about the trade, according to reports, which is shocking in itself if only because he and Davis are represented by the same agency. Which means, if true, LeBron didn’t sign-off or disprove the trade. He had no input. That's not shocking. That's how the fuck it's supposed to be. Lebron don't run that team. And besides, he already used his provide some free input card on the organization drafting his son. They were like, "that's enough, Lebron. You don't need to know shit else." And I say good for them
Also: The Lakers now have two ball-dominant stars. We’ve seen this happen before on other teams with mixed results. What about here? Yeah, but where I give credit to Lebron on this is you have never seen that issue on any of his teams. I think Lebron's an incredibly smart basketball player, to the point where he knows how to make adjustments to his game based on what the team needs. Say what you will about Lebron (oh, and I have!), but he has always been really good at that
This is much evident — the Lakers are putting their franchise in the hands of another player. As they should. That’s the long-term goal. As for the short-term, they’ll need a sit-down with LeBron because a team that’s even weaker defensively and lacking a quality rebounder won’t scare many of this season’s contenders. But y'all were so high on Luka earlier in this article, already crowning him a champion despite him obviously being a liability on defense (from Dallas' own GM). Now this part here sounds like you don't even think the Lakers are good. I'm confused
It’s all in LeBron’s hands. Wait, what? Does he sit tight and see what happens next in L.A.? Or are there better situations for him at this stage in his career? Okay, dumb ass questions to end the article about a 40-year-old NBA player. He doesn't have the luxury of time to "sit tight and see what happens next in LA". And better situations at 40? Stop it. Still, great read though