Grant White

The Phoenix Suns Struggle in the NBA: A Detailed Analysis

If you had the <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/depth-chart/dallas-mavericks-depth-chart">Dallas Mavericks</a> trading <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/luka-doncic/3200">Luka Doncic</a> on your 2025 NBA Trade Deadline Bingo Card, you might want to tip your psychic better. 
The <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/depth-chart/los-angeles-lakers-depth-chart">Los Angeles Lakers</a> pulled off one of the sheistiest moves in the league&#8217;s history on Saturday, prying perennial MVP candidate Luka Doncic away from the Mavs. Granted, the Lakers had to give up five-time All-NBA center <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/anthony-davis/3010">Anthony Davis</a>, former 35th-overall draft pick <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/max-christie/3009">Max Christie</a>, and a 2029 first-round pick to get the deal done. Still, the seismic shift in betting odds supports the claim that LA won the Doncic trade.
NBA Trade Deadline: <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/article/nba-trade-deadline-buy-or-sell-for-all-30-teams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy/Sell Every Team</a> | <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/article/ranking-the-top-10-nba-trade-candidates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top 10 Candidates</a> | <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/article/top-5-players-who-are-in-need-of-a-fresh-start-at-the-nba-trade-deadline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fresh Start Needed</a>
<h2>Lakers&#8217; Championship Odds Soar</h2>
As has been the case over the past few seasons, the Lakers were hovering as a mid-range team in the Western Conference. They currently sit fifth in the standings, ranking in the second tier of contending teams. Before the Doncic trade, Los Angeles was a distant +4000 on the NBA Championship futures board. 
The Lakers saw a massive swing in their betting odds following the deal. Heading into the stretch drive of the 2024-25 season, LA is priced with the sixth-best odds, currently listed at +1400. Considering the influx of money on the Lakers, another downward shift could be on the horizon.
Dunk on the sportsbooks tonight! Grab SportsGrid’s free <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/picks">NBA picks</a>, <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/player-props">NBA props</a>, and <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/sgp">NBA SGPs</a>.
<h2>Deluge of Bets and Money Coming in on LA</h2>
There&#8217;s been no shortage of Lakers action in the futures market. Since the Doncic trade, 64% of the bets and 57% of the money have been on LA. While that represents a huge shift in public perception, the staggering amount of handle also accounts for some hefty sharp wagers. 
Landing Spots: <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/article/top-5-landing-spots-for-deaaron-fox-ahead-of-the-nba-trade-deadline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">De’Aaron Fox</a> | <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/article/top-5-landing-spots-for-jimmy-butler-ahead-of-the-nba-trade-deadline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jimmy Butler</a> | <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/article/top-5-landing-spots-for-zach-lavine-ahead-of-the-nba-trade-deadline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zach LaVine</a>
<h2>What About the Mavericks?</h2>
Predictably, moving on from Doncic also had a negative impact on the Mavericks&#8217; betting odds. The reigning Western Conference Champions&#8217; odds plunged from +2000 to +3000. Moreover, the move left plenty of sharp bettors holding less valuable tickets. 
Before the trade, the Mavs were a safe haven for professional bettors. While Dallas futures tickets accounted for only 5.6% of the bets, those slips represented nearly 10.0% of the betting handle. Naturally, some of those bettors likely migrated to the Lakers as soon as the deal was announced. 
Mock Trades: <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/article/what-a-jimmy-butler-to-phoenix-suns-trade-would-look-like" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Butler to Suns</a> | <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/article/jimmy-butler-to-the-warriors-exploring-potential-mock-trade" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Butler to Warriors</a> 
<h2>Lakers Roster Moving Forward</h2>
The Lakers frontcourt looks weaker without Anthony Davis patrolling the interior. Nevertheless, <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/jaxson-hayes/2998">Jaxson Hayes</a> will see increased action and is penciled in as the Lakers&#8217; starting center moving forward. <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/lebron-james/2994">LeBron James</a> and <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/rui-hachimura/2999">Rui Hachimura</a> fill the power and shooting forward roles, respectively. <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/maxi-kleber/3191">Maxi Kleber</a> and <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/markieff-morris/3189">Markieff Morris</a>, who were also acquired with Doncic, round out the Lakers&#8217; big men.
Luka Doncic hasn&#8217;t played since Christmas Day, but when he&#8217;ll slot into his natural point guard role as soon as he&#8217;s cleared. That leaves <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/austin-reaves/3006">Austin Reaves</a> to move back into the 2-spot, with <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/dalton-knecht/67916">Dalton Knecht</a> acting as the sixth man.
Bookmark our <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/article/nba-injury-report-friday-feb-23-status-for-beal-antetokounmpo">NBA Injuries Page</a> for the latest news on player injuries and return timeframes.
<h2>When Will Doncic Suit Up for LA?</h2>
Sadly, the Lakers faithful will have to patiently wait to catch a glimpse of their newest roster addition. Doncic continues to resolve a calf injury that has kept him sidelined for the past six weeks. Still, the latest reports confirm that the MVP finalist should return before the All-Star Break. 
<a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/betting/sportsbook-promos/bet365" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BET365 PROMO CODE – FIRST BET SAFETY NET $1000 IN BONUS BETS</a>
<h2>Final Thoughts &#8211; Perception vs. Performance</h2>
The perception of the Doncic trade catapulted the Lakers into another stratosphere. Suddenly, LA is tabbed as a frontrunner for this year&#8217;s NBA Championship. While some of that movement is warranted, how this team performs with LeBron and Doncic as a two-headed monster remains to be seen. 
In that regard, keep a close eye on the line movement and futures odds as soon as Doncic returns to the court. Unlike the perception of a trade, the betting odds never lie.
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The Los Angeles Lakers traded for Luka Doncic on Saturday night. How does the move impact both teams, and how did the betting odds adjust following the move?

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