
Picture Credit: X
In a shocking move in the National Basketball Association (NBA), Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers (LA Lakers) have stunned the basketball community with speculations of perennial Kia MVP candidate Luka Doncic moving to the Lakers in exchange for 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, reserve guard Max Christie and a future 2029 first-round draft pick.
However, the teams are yet to confirm on the same, but multiple outlets have confirmed of the move. Speaking of the three-team deal which also involves Utah Jazz, the LA Lakers will also acquire veteran forwards Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. Notably, if the deal goes, it will see Doncic join forces with LeBron James, who is chasing his fifth NBA title and his second with the Lakers.
On the other hand, Davis will link up with Kyrie Irving in Dallas after both players have served as deputies to LeBron in the NBA. Luka Doncic, 25 has blossomed into one of the most productive players in the NBA since his arrival in 2018. He finished sixth in MVP voting in four of the past five seasons, amassing averages of 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists. Furthermore, Doncic led Dallas to last year’s Finals for its first appearance in the championship round since Mavs won the title in 2011.
LeBron James breaks silence on Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic trade move
However, an official confirmation on the same is still awaited by the teams, star forward of LA Lakers and legend, LeBron James has finally opened on this high-profile trade. According to a report in Sports Illustrated, LeBron called out NBA insider Bill Reiter after he reported a conflict between him and Davis, which hinted on Davis’ departure from Los Angeles. However, the veteran slammed the report as he took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “You a (expletive) lie!!!”
Another NBA insider, Shams Charania of ESPN claimed that none of the players have had a knowledge of this move. He took to X and captioned a post, “LeBron James had no idea this was coming, Anthony Davis had no idea this was coming. I’m told Luka Doncic is still stunned about this trade”.