On the night of Feb. 1, 2025, a bombshell was dropped on the National Basketball Association (NBA) and sports world. In one of the biggest trades in NBA history, young superstar Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, while fellow superstar Anthony Davis was sent to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers also received Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, while the Mavericks received Max Christie and a future first-round pick. The late-night blockbuster sent shockwaves through the NBA world, with players, pundits, and fans alike being left stunned at the deal.
Now the first question that popped into the heads of many fans—especially Mavs fans—was simple: Why? Why would Dallas trade away a generational talent, the face of the franchise and a player many think is among the best in the world at the moment? Luka never even requested a trade; this was a decision pursued entirely by the Mavericks.
CJ Arnerich ‘26 thought that Dallas could’ve gotten much more for Luka saying, “It’s really mindless that Dallas didn’t ship Luka around the league because they could’ve gotten any other team’s entire franchise instead of two players.”
With apparent rumors of concern for both Luka’s upcoming supermax contract extension and Dončić’s conditioning as his return from injury loomed closer and closer, the Mavericks sought the trade.
After the trade, Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison addressed the media, stating, “Defense wins championships … we are built to win now, and in the future,” reasoning Davis’ defensive prowess as the key motive behind the move.
As for the Lakers, the motive was clear: it’s Luka Dončić. He is a generational talent, a superstar, and already has many legendary moments in his young career, showcasing a blend of scoring, playmaking, and clutch performances. However, the deal isn’t just about acquiring this superstar but also securing the future of the Lakers franchise.
Many were wondering what the Lakers would do in the upcoming post-LeBron James era. With LeBron James’ incredible career nearing its twilight, and Luka being only 25 years old, Dončić seems like the ideal centerpiece for the upcoming era in the City of Angels.
As expected from a trade of this magnitude, the reactions across the league were swift with many fans left in shock by the news. Mavericks fans were shocked, and in many cases, outraged with the departure of a player they believed would be in Dallas for the entirety of his career. Anthony Davis, while being a fantastic player, is nearing 32 years old; the Mavericks are seemingly in “win-now” mode.
Some still remain optimistic for Dallas, with Aaron Williams ‘26 stating, “In the short term, I think the Dallas Mavericks won this trade. Acquiring Anthony Davis in his prime over Luka Dončić, who has missed the majority of the season and is a liability on defense, is a huge upgrade for Dallas.” However, he added, “I see the Lakers benefitting from the biggest trade in NBA history three years from now when Davis begins to exit his prime years, assuming Dončić stays with the Los Angeles Lakers.”
The Mavericks and Lakers have shaken up their respective franchises for the distant future, with their trade ushering many other blockbuster moves on the brink of the NBA deadline, such as Jimmy Butler to the Warriors and De’Aaron Fox to the Spurs. The fabric of the NBA has seismically shifted, and it will be exciting to see how the rest of the season unfolds.