As the NBA trade deadline approaches this week, we revisit a blockbuster deal that shook the Association one year ago! It was February 1st, 2025, when Dallas Mavericks superstar, Luka Doncic, answered a phone call he never thought he would get. The face of the franchise would find himself with a new home as he headed out west to the City of Angels.
The 25-year-old was shocked that he would be teaming up with LeBron James and joining one of the league’s most iconic organizations. One year later, we revisit the trade that had the basketball world in shock.
Doncic to the Lakers
The young phenomenon, Luka Doncic is no stranger to the business side of the game. The third pick in the 2018 draft was selected by the Atlanta Hawks and immediately dealt to the Dallas Mavericks for Trae Young. The Mavs seemed to have the face of their franchise for years to come.
Well, those years have come and gone! On this day last season, the Slovenian was as shocked as we all were when he found out he would no longer call Dallas home. A trade that would send him to LA to join LeBron and the Lakers in return for aging All-Star Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future first-round pick.
Neither Doncic nor Davis was seeking a trade, which made it that much more surprising. Yet here we are. A franchise-altering move that had both teams moving in different directions. The 2025 Lakers moved up the ranks, finishing third in the Western Conference. The Mavericks, on the other hand, finished 10th but managed to test themselves in the play-in game.
The Trade Moving Forward
Neither team had any success in the 2025 postseason, but how are they shaping up now? When healthy, Davis has been a solid 20 points, 11 rebounds a game. The problem is staying on the court. Since joining the Mavs, the injury bug has kept lingering around the former number one pick, limiting him to 20 games so far this season.
With Davis being a possible trade target this season and Dallas looking to their bright future with Cooper Flagg, Luka Doncic couldn’t be happier. The Lakers are sitting right in the middle of a playoff race. Doncic is averaging over 33 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds per game.
Luka is also playing with one of the greatest players not named Michael Jordan to ever play the game. LeBron James has embraced one of the best players in the NBA. The duo is looking to add to the legacy by winning a championship, bringing the total to a handful of rings for King James.
Once James retires, the keys will be fully handed over to Luka. Doncic should be the face of the organization until he decides to hang up his sneakers as well. If we know anything about the NBA in the past 50 years, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers will always be relevant.
Final Thoughts
Once in a while, a major sports league will provide a blockbuster trade that sends shock waves throughout its universe. This trade came out of the blue and did just that. The Dallas Mavericks ownership and front office are still getting frustrated that fans are speaking out about trading Doncic. He was a fan favorite, a leader, and the face of the franchise.
Luka is in the prime of his career, and when it is all said and done, Doncic could be one of the greats. Will this trade haunt the Mavericks franchise for years to come? It looks like it could, let’s see if it happens.
