Wait, what?
In a move that shocked the NBA world, the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris are headed to L.A., while Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick are headed to Dallas.
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz’s involvement in the deal is relatively small: They’ll receive Jalen Hood-Schifino (the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft), plus two second-round picks — one from the Clippers in 2025, and one from the Mavericks in 2025. The Jazz are sending out $55K to each of the two teams involved in the deal, the minimum permitted by the NBA.
With a full roster, the Jazz would need to waive at least one player if no players are outgoing in the deal. New acquisitions P.J. Tucker and Mo Bamba are reasonable candidates.
Hood-Schifino has only played 123 minutes in the NBA so far, shooting just 23% from the field in those limited minutes. The Jazz may give Hood-Schifino a chance to show he can do something more in a new environment.
By far, though, the bigger factor in the trade is the exchange of two All-NBA players, the 25-year-old Doncic and 31-year-old Davis. With the trade, the Lakers look once again set up to be a competitive team for the foreseeable future, even after the retirement of LeBron James. ESPN was the first to report the deal.
Meanwhile, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison explained his side of the deal to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “I believe that defense wins championships,” Harrison said. “I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future.”
This story will be updated.
