One of the most controversial trades in NBA history unfolded this Sunday between some of the most staple teams of the league. Shams Charaina from ESPN reported that the Dallas Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and the 2029 LA Lakers first draft pick in exchange for Luka Doncic, Maxi Kebler, and Markieff Morris, with the Utah Jazz getting Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 LA Clippers; second, and 2025 Mavericks’ second.
Doncic and Davis were key players in their respective teams, adding to the shock players and fans felt. ESPN reported that even LeBron James of the Lakers was surprised by the trade and was processing the news while having dinner with his family.
Statistically, the bet heavily favors the LA Lakers. Luka joining the Lakers boosted the team’s odds of winning the Western Conference from +1800 to +950, jumping over three times and landing in third just behind the Oklahoma City Thunders and the Denver Nuggets.
“I don’t understand this trade by the Mavericks,” Sungwook Kim(12), NBA enthusiast, said. “I see this as a big loss for the Mavs, considering they lost a 25-year-old MVP candidate, Luka Doncic, for a 31-year-old center [Anthony Davis] who is injury prone. The Lakers didn’t even have to give up all their 1st round picks for this trade for Luka. I would say that this was one of the poorest trades I have seen in the NBA.”
Furthermore, according to ESPN, the Dallas Mavericks had issues concerning Luka’s “constant conditioning issues” which led to doubts about whether the organization should invest in another contract extension with Luka in the summer. Luka is currently 270 pounds or approximately 123 kilograms, gaining 40 pounds from his rookie year.
While Doncic is currently out due to a lower-body injury, Anthony Davis played in his first game with the Mavericks on Feb. 6th. Davis ended his debut with a groin injury and is expected to be out for the next multiple weeks. With new team compositions such as the Davis-Irving and James-Doncic duo, There will be changes to the dynamics of the respective teams, adding to the excitement of the season’s second half.
