NBA · 9 months ago

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

John Canady

Host · Writer

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.

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Lakers-Mavs Trade: 3 Winners, 3 Losers in Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis Swap
Late Saturday night, the most shocking news in sports over the past year dropped when ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers had agreed on the most shocking blockbuster trade in recent years. Headlines by a Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis swap, many people believed that Charania had been hacked. However, when it was made clear the report was official, it was hard to dissect who won the trade and who lost.

Nonetheless, here's a look at our three winners and three losers.

A look at the deal:

Lakers Receive: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris

Mavericks Receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 first-round pick

Jazz Receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Clippers' 2025 second-round pick, Mavericks' 2025 second-round pick

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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.
Lakers-Mavs Trade: 3 Winners, 3 Losers in Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis Swap
Late Saturday night, the most shocking news in sports over the past year dropped when ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers had agreed on the most shocking blockbuster trade in recent years. Headlines by a Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis swap, many people believed that Charania had been hacked. However, when it was made clear the report was official, it was hard to dissect who won the trade and who lost.

Nonetheless, here's a look at our three winners and three losers.

A look at the deal:

Lakers Receive: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris

Mavericks Receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 first-round pick

Jazz Receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Clippers' 2025 second-round pick, Mavericks' 2025 second-round pick

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

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

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