Lakers-Mavs Trade: 3 Winners, 3 Losers in Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis Swap

Daniel Gafford - Loser

Before the deal to land Davis, the Mavericks were reportedly shopping Daniel Gafford on the trade market, seeking frontcourt help. With Dallas landing the help they were searching for, the big man seems to have a higher chance of being dealt ahead of Thursday's deadline than before. Even then, if he can avoid being moved, his role in the rotation will almost certainly take a hit.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.

Kyrie Irving - Winner

Kyrie Irving arguably may be the biggest winner of this trade, at least on the Dallas Mavericks side. Irving now gets the primary ball-handling duties, with one of the most dominant big men in the league manning the frontcourt. Outside of Kevin Love, whose play style is entirely different from Anthony Davis, this is the first time in Irving's career that he's had a top big man in the league at his disposal. Expect the star guard to make the best of the fit alongside a versatile player such as Davis.

Luka Doncic - Loser

Not only did Luka Doncic get blindsided in one of the biggest trades in NBA history, but the superstar is now ineligible for the $345-million supermax deal he was prepared to sign with the Mavs in the offseason. In addition, the Slovenian sensation now has to uproot his family from the town he thought he could call home for the rest of his NBA career less than a month after leading Dallas to the NBA Finals.

Anthony Davis - Winner

While Anthony Davis likely preferred to stay put in Los Angeles alongside LeBron James, it's no secret that the big man had been begging Rob Pelinka to make a move for another center to allow him to play at the power forward position, where he feels he plays best. Now, heading to Dallas, the Kentucky product will be able to play in the four spot alongside the likes of Dereck Lively II and PJ Washington Jr.

Dallas Mavericks - Loser (Mainly Jason Kidd & Mavs Fans)

When the news broke, it was reported that nobody around the league knew about this trade, and Mavericks coach Jason Kidd was among the people unaware of the blockbuster deal. In the blink of an eye, Kidd and the fans of the Mavericks were forced to watch general manager Nico Harrison trade away their franchise cornerstone because he felt the deal gave them the best chance to win within the next three to four years. In a move with a high chance of going down as one of the worst trades in history, the reaction from Mavs' fans and the rest of the league seems to suggest this is already the worst trade in Dallas Mavericks history.

Los Angeles Lakers - Winner

The Los Angeles Lakers were amid their own struggles and their odds of winning the NBA Championship (+4000 before trade to +1900 post trade) alone proved that. However, when a 25-year-old superstar falls into your lap like it did for Pelinka and the Lakers, that alone makes you a winner. Especially considering they talked the Mavs down from their original asking price, which included Dalton Knecht. Nonetheless, finding a way to contend now while securing your future building block is a win, no matter how you look.

Daniel Gafford - Loser

Before the deal to land Davis, the Mavericks were reportedly shopping Daniel Gafford on the trade market, seeking frontcourt help. With Dallas landing the help they were searching for, the big man seems to have a higher chance of being dealt ahead of Thursday's deadline than before. Even then, if he can avoid being moved, his role in the rotation will almost certainly take a hit.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.