Pictured above: Anthony Davis shoots a free-throw in the Lakers’ opening game of the 2024/25 season

The full trade involved three teams - the LA Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz.

The Lakers received: Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris

The Mavericks received: Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick

The Jazz received: Jalen Hood-Schifino and two 2025 second-round picks

The trade was shocking for multiple reasons. It was the first time in the NBA’s history that two reigning All-NBA team players had been involved in the same mid-season trade, it was a trade that blindsided everyone (including the players) and it was a trade that to many, seemed completely unbalanced. Dallas were trading their 25-year-old superstar, a player voted the third best in the NBA last season, and in return they would receive an injury prone 31-year-old.

Perhaps most surprising of all, this was a trade initially proposed by Dallas. Such was the implausibility of this trade, that when Mavericks GM, Nico Harrison, first suggested it to Lakers GM, Rob Pelinka, Pelinka reportedly asked if he was joking.

Finances

As news of the trade first broke, there was speculation that the Mavericks could have been financially motivated. Dončić was in line for a Supermax, 5-year contract extension, worth $345m if he stayed with the Mavericks.

However, Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont has since clarified that “The trades we made this past week were about improving our basketball team… None of this was about finances."

Concerns about Dončić’s fitness

Luka Dončić’s fitness and injury record has also been widely cited as a reason for the trade. Dončić has received a significant amount of criticism for his conditioning, and the Mavericks had previously fired multiple fitness coaches who worked closely with him.

Following the trade, Dumont hinted at concerns around team culture and Dončić’s effort: “If you look at the greats in the league, the people you and I grew up with —Jordan, Bird, Kobe, Shaq — they worked really hard, every day, with a singular focus to win… if you don’t have that, it doesn’t work. And if you don’t have that, you shouldn’t be part of the Dallas Mavericks.”

With the impending 5-year Supermax, the Mavericks faced a dilemma over whether they wanted to commit to Dončić, as the man to lead their franchise going forward.

“Defense wins championships”

In the end, the Mavericks’ ambition to win the NBA looks to have been the overarching reason for this trade.

Anthony Davis is a proven winner. He is a 4x All-NBA first team player, a 10x NBA all star, a top 2 centre in the league and an NBA winner in 2020. As part of the trade, Dallas also received Max Christie, who has had a breakout season for the Lakers at shooting guard.

Following the trade, Nico Harrison stated “I believe that defense wins championships. 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.”

The Mavericks will be conscious that Klay Thompson (35) and Kyrie Irving (32) are both nearing the end of their careers. It seems Harrison believes Davis could be the missing piece, which takes the Mavericks to just their second NBA title. With persisting doubts over Dončić’s attitude and durability, Harrison was willing to sacrifice him to achieve this.