NEW YORK — The Lakers pulled off a surprising commerce Saturday night time, sending middle Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for star guard Luka Doncic to arrange the group for its post-LeBron James period with one of many NBA’s finest younger gamers.
The deal occurred after the Lakers beat the Knicks 128-112 in Madison Sq. Backyard, in accordance with folks with data of the scenario not approved to talk publicly.
The phrases of the commerce are Davis, younger guard Max Christie and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round draft choose to Dallas for Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. The Lakers additionally despatched Jalen Hood-Schifino to the Jazz, who acquired second-round picks from the Lakers (their 2025 choose from the Clippers) and the Mavericks to facilitate the commerce.
In response to folks contained in the Lakers’ locker room not approved to talk publicly, the commerce was a whole shock and got here after considered one of their finest wins of the season in opposition to New York.
The Lakers, in accordance with folks with data of the scenario, had been offered with the chance to amass Doncic, who’s at present out with a calf harm, and couldn’t flip down the prospect to get the 25-year-old guard as the longer term face of their franchise.