Shocking NBA trade: Lakers land Luka Doncic, Mavs get Anthony Davis

DALLAS: The Lakers and Mavericks have sent the NBA world into a frenzy, with ESPN reporting early Sunday morning that the teams had completed a trade that will send Luka Doncic to Los Angeles and Anthony Davis to Dallas.

While the two stars are at the center of the deal, the Lakers will also get Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris while the Mavericks will receive Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick, per the report.

ESPN reported that the Utah Jazz are also involved in the trade and will get Jalen Hood-Schifino and a pair of second-round picks in this year’s draft.

Doncic, 25, has averaged 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists in 22 games (all starts) this season.

The 31-year-old Davis has put up averages of 25.7 points, 11.9 boards, 3.4 assists and 2.1 blocks across 42 games (all starts).

Forbes reported that 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,” Forbes said.

DALLAS MEVERICK’S FIVE-GAME ROAD TRIP

Dallas began a five-game road trip on a winning note, defeating New Orleans 137-136 on Wednesday. The journey continues with a visit to Detroit on Friday.

Frontcourt starters PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford made major contributions as the Mavs scored 80 second-half points yet barely emerged with a victory. Washington supplied 25 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, while Gafford made all nine of his field-goal attempts en route to 22 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and three assists.

Superstar guard Luka Doncic hasn’t played since Christmas due to a calf injury, but the Mavs’ frontcourt has suffered even more hits. Dereck Lively II (ankle), Maxi Kleber (foot) and Dwight Powell (hip) are all on the mend.

The game on Friday started a season-high six-game homestand for the Pistons. They are coming off a five-game road trip in which they won the first two games, then dropped three straight.

The latest defeat came on Wednesday, when they fell to Indiana, 133-119.