DALLAS, TEXAS – DECEMBER 12: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball against LeBron … [+]
In a shocking move, the Dallas Mavericks are trading star player Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. The trade is part of a three-team deal, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.
Multiple sources confirm Charania’s reporting.
Charania reports that Los Angeles will receive Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris from Dallas. In return, the Mavericks receive Anthony Davis, Max Christie and the Lakers’ 2029 first round draft pick.
The Utah Jazz will receive Jalen Hood-Schifino from L.A., a 2025 second-round draft pick from Dallas and a 2025 second-round pick from the Los Angeles Clippers.
Beyond the perplexing nature of the trade–Doncic is one of the top players in the NBA–there are also significant financial considerations.
Doncic was eligible to receive a five-year super-max contract from Dallas this summer worth $345 million. However, after the trade, he is no longer eligible.
The trade comes seven months after Doncic led the Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2011.
This season, Doncic is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.0 steals in 35.7 minutes per game.
He has been out since Christmas Day, when he suffered a left calf strain. The Mavericks were optimistic he would return to the court before the NBA All-Star Break.
