Luka Doncic is being traded by the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis in an astonishing NBA deal, according to ESPN and The Associated Press
Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris are headed to the Lakers, while Davis and Max Christie are going to Dallas – the reigning western conference champions – said the person who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because neither team can announce the deal while it awaits league approval.
The Utah Jazz are also involved in the deal, said the AP source.
ESPN, which first reported the trade, said Jalen Hood-Schifino and two draft picks will be headed to the Jazz.
It is an absolute blockbuster, with Doncic set to join LeBron James in Los Angeles, and Davis now headed to Dallas to partner with Kyrie Irving.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison told ESPN.
“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 stunning trade development was met with disbelief across the NBA on social media as the first details emerged on Saturday night:
