NBA news: An in-depth look at the blockbuster Luka Doncic–Anthony Davis trade
A blockbuster trade has seen Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks and Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers swap places.
The agreement sends the Mavericks’ Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Lakers in exchange for Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round draft pick.
News of the trade first broke on Saturday night and promptly sent the basketball world into a meltdown as pundits, fans, and even players offered up incredulous reactions.
Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce takes an in-depth look at the deal.
Luka Doncic and the LA Lakers
Doncic has, by all accounts, been tearing up the league since his rookie season in 2018.
At just 25 years old, he has five NBA All-Star appearances and as many All-NBA First Team honours to his name.
That record recognises the point guard – who led the Mavericks to an NBA Finals appearance last year – as one of the best operators around.
He is also one of a select few players to have scored 60+ points in an NBA game, along with the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan.
In a sensational turn of events, however, Doncic will swap Texas for the bright lights of California.
And with 40-year-old Lakers legend LeBron James nearing the end of his time in LA, Doncic is well placed to become the future of the franchise.
Averaging an impressive 28.1 points and 7.8 assists per game this term, the Slovenian is nothing less than a massive improvement on current Lakers starter Gabe Vincent, who is only offering 5 points and 1.3 assists per game.
The trade is therefore a match made in heaven from a Lakers perspective, and it is now up to Doncic to hit the ground running in the purple and gold jersey.
READ MORE: NBA news: Mavericks trade Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis in sensational deal with Lakers
Anthony Davis and the Dallas Mavericks
Davis is the fall guy in a deal quite clearly centred on Doncic.
A nine-time NBA All-Star, Davis has spent the last five years with the Lakers, forming a highly successful partnership with James and winning the 2020 NBA Finals.
The 31-year-old center – averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game this season – will now link up with stars Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson in Dallas.
Although his injury record is a cause for concern, Davis is a world-class player and will no doubt prove an asset for the team currently sat ninth in the Eastern Conference standings.
With that said, his arrival is sure to do little to offset the disappointment of Mavericks fans, who have had to watch two exceptional point guards in Jalen Brunson and Doncic leave the franchise over the past few years.
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