One word: unbelievable. In the shock of the century, the most stunning trade in basketball history occurred amid the 2024-2025 NBA season, which saw the Dallas Mavericks send global phenom Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for premier star Anthony Davis. Coming off a recent Finals berth led by none other than the Slovenian star, the Mavericks made a move that much of the NBA world still can’t wrap their heads around. This turn of events has undoubtedly shifted the complexion of the entire league for years to come: one of the greatest offensive weapons in league history now dons the purple and gold.

Here are the details:

Dallas Mavericks Receive:

• Anthony Davis
• Max Christie
• The Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick

Los Angeles Lakers Receive:

• Luka Doncic
• Maxi Kleber
• Markieff Morris

Utah Jazz Receive:

• Jalen Hood-Schifino
• The Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick
• The Mavericks’ 2025 second-round selection

“He is the game plan. Some say they’re the system but he is the game plan”, said Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd after Luka dropped a career-high 73 points last season. Trading Luka Doncic, the 25-year-old point guard who just averaged 34 ppg, 9 apg, 9 rpg as the NBA’s scoring leader, has had immeasurable implications for the definition of an “untouchable player.” Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant reacted to the news, saying, “The NBA is a wild place, man. If he can get traded, then anybody is up for grabs.”

For the Lakers, the motives behind this deal are obvious. While Anthony Davis and his elite two-way presence will be missed, his pairing alongside LeBron James has failed to contend for a championship in recent years. After a 2020 title in a pandemic-riddled season, the team failed to rank among the top 6 teams in the Western Conference in four consecutive seasons. Moreover, LeBron is 40 years old and Anthony Davis is 31: the window for contention was closing and, with scarce control of their own draft capital, the Lakers’ future looked dim.

So, when the opportunity arose to acquire a young player of Luka’s caliber, the move was a no-brainer for GM Rob Pelinka: “I want to thank the Dallas Mavericks led by their GM Nico Harrison who was also very instrumental in bringing this opportunity to us… I think Luka Doncic joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic event in NBA history.”

And “a seismic event” may be underselling it. Adding a 25-year-old superstar gives Lakers fans a new glimmer of hope for what seemed to be a very bleak future. Not having their own unprotected first round pick until the 2031 NBA draft, the Lakers’ aging roster had really no way of getting younger. With the acquisition of Doncic, the Lakers are not only adding a prolific scorer that will immediately increase their chances of contending for a championship, but they are adding a franchise-altering player who will be in the NBA MVP conversation for years to come.

For the Mavericks, however, the deal is far more complicated. Indeed, Luka Doncic is not the most well-conditioned player the league has ever seen, nor is he close to the hardest working on defense. But as an unstoppable offensive force coming off a finals-berth, letting Doncic go for the injury-prone Davis has left many Mavericks fans in disbelief.

In the short term, this Dallas team could still be one of the top teams in the Western Conference: Kyrie Irving is still an elite shot-maker, and the defensive tandem of Christie and Washington on the wings with the interior presence of Davis and Gafford will make it tough for any NBA offense. However, losing Doncic’s near triple double per game average is massive. In his debut game for the Mavs, Anthony Davis exited with a non-contact groin injury, sidelining him for multiple weeks to come. This is nothing new for Davis, who has continuously battled through injury throughout his career. With AD’s inability to stay healthy, losing Luka’s scoring without replacement could knock the Mavericks out of the playoff race. And AD is only getting older, so this short-sighted deal may have hurt the Mavericks not only in the now, but in the future.

Meanwhile, the Wild West has only gotten stronger with the trade deadline. The Warriors reloaded more star power by obtaining Jimmy Butler, an interior threat who complements Steph Curry’s perimeter play and excels at getting to the free throw line, something the Warriors struggle with immensely (27th in the NBA). In addition, the Spurs and the Kings bolstered their rosters, trading for De’Aaron Fox and Zach LaVine, respectively. Fans were eager to see how Fox’s clutch factor would elevate Wembanyama and the Spurs, but the star center’s season-ending blood clot has shut that down for now. Meanwhile, the rekindled duo of DeRozan and LaVine should give the Kings an explosive backcourt that matches their fast-paced play style.

As teams across the league grow more formidable, both the Lakers and the Mavericks must navigate the setbacks of their respective moves—whether due to roster deficiencies or injury risks. Yet, despite all the chaos, all eyes remain on No. 77, as Luka Doncic aims to rise above the uncertainty and prove his dominance once again.