Lakers’ Luka Doncic Trade Creates a Big Problem for the Suns
On Saturday, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a shocking trade for Luka Doncic, sending Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a draft pick to the Dallas Mavericks. The move gives the Lakers one of the league’s top five players, surpassing their infamous Pau Gasol heist. Unlike the Chris Paul trade veto over a decade ago, this deal went through without league intervention.
What This Means for the Suns
The Suns had been linked to Jimmy Butler, but with Doncic now in LA, that pursuit seems pointless. While Phoenix remains committed to its core—Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal—the Lakers took the bold step of trading Davis for a superior player.
“It’s crazy, crazy,” said Kevin Durant about the deal. “Players are held to a different standard of loyalty and commitment, but organizations aren’t.”
With Doncic now alongside LeBron James, the Lakers have leapfrogged the Suns in title contention. Meanwhile, Phoenix just suffered a 127-108 loss to Portland, despite Booker’s 37-point effort.
