Luka Dončić was just as surprised as everyone else when the Dallas Mavericks traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and a first-round pick. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that both Dončić and many individuals within the Mavericks and Lakers organizations, including LeBron James and Anthony Davis, were caught off guard by the deal.
“I’m told Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, the players, coaches, and a lot of people on both sides with the Mavericks and Lakers had no idea,” Charania shared on ESPN’s SportsCenter shortly after breaking the news. “I can assuredly tell you it’s a fact. LeBron James had no idea this was coming. Anthony Davis had no idea this was coming. I’m told Luka Dončić is still stunned about this trade.”
Dončić had been sidelined with a calf injury since Christmas Day, and his ongoing injury concerns, along with his conditioning issues and the prospect of a supermax contract extension, contributed to this monumental trade, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
“The Mavericks had major concerns about moving forward with Luka Dončić due to his constant conditioning issues and the looming commitment of another supermax contract extension this summer,” MacMahon reported.
Dončić, who would have been eligible for a $345 million supermax contract this summer, is no longer in line for the supermax under this trade. However, ESPN’s Bobby Marks suggested a way for Dončić to regain some of the future earnings he lost.
“The smart play would be for Dončić to sign a three-year extension this summer with a player option in 2028-29. That would allow him to reach 10 years of service and recoup most if not all from the missed opportunity to sign the supermax this offseason,” Marks wrote.
The trade, which was initiated by the Mavericks, came after they reached out to the Lakers. Charania explained that the Mavericks had set their sights on Anthony Davis as the player they wanted in exchange for Dončić, prompting the Lakers to seriously consider the deal.
“I’m told that the Mavericks actually approached the Lakers and offered Luka Dončić a few days ago in a trade,” Charania revealed. “Very recently, the Mavericks went out. They knew exactly who they wanted. They wanted Anthony Davis.”
The Lakers decided that acquiring a 25-year-old, perennial All-Star like Dončić, who could become the face of the franchise post-LeBron James, was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
LeBron James, who has long admired Dončić, was also taken aback by the news. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, James learned of the trade after the Knicks game while having dinner with his family.
“LeBron James learned of the Davis-Dončić trade after the Knicks game when it broke while he was out to dinner with his family,” McMenamin reported. “James was surprised by the news, is processing it, and had no idea it was in the works.”
The pairing of Dončić and James will be closely watched, as both are ball-dominant players with similar styles. The dynamic between the two will be fascinating to see unfold.
