With the NBA trade deadline approached this February, a massive trade took place. This trade was surprising due to how close it happened to the deadline, to which players could not be traded after the 6th. The Dallas Mavericks, the Utah Jazz, and the Los Angeles Lakers all agreed on a three team trade on February 2nd. Los Angeles would receive Dallas’s guard Luka Doncic, forward Maxi Kleber, and forward Markikeff Morris. In return, Dallas would receive the Lakers’ center Anthony Davis, guard Max Christie, and the Lakers’ first round pick in the 2029 NBA Draft. Utah would receive Lakers’ guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, Los Angeles Clippers’ second round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and an additional 2025 second round pick from Dallas.
This trade sent shockwaves throughout the league and NBA social media. This trade is highly regarded as one of the most shocking trades to ever take place, mainly because of the Dallas Mavericks thought process. The media pushed questions to Mavericks’ General Manager Nico Harrison about the unexpected trade of their franchise player Doncic. Harrison told the media that his main reasoning behind the trade was Doncic’s physical body conditioning, and him not taking it seriously. For example, the average weight of an NBA guard is 217 pounds, and Doncic currently weighs around 260 lbs.
Adding to the controversy, hours after the trade Maverick’s Head Coach Jason Kidd and General Manager Harrison met with the media. They both claimed that the future was bright in Dallas with Davis playing alongside star Kyrie Irving. According to many sources, Kidd was concerned about Doncic’s conditioning, but he was not aware prior to the trade.
Although this is a three team trade, this trade mainly affects the future of the Lakers and Mavericks. The Mavericks traded their franchise player but have a huge amount of trust in Davis reinstating that “defense wins championships.” Meanwhile the Lakers are arguably set up better for future success, and with their young head coach JJ Reddick in his first season. They have prepared for their seasons of success after the retirement of Lebron James, assuming he doesn’t part from the team. The Lakers now have a young superstar guard in Doncic, and a very good team surrounding him with players like guard Austin Reaves.
Fans around the league, specifically the Dallas Mavericks fans were devastated to lose their star player. Mainly complaining that Davis was good, but he was older and not a young franchise player like Doncic.
Along with the shocking Doncic-Davis trade, another trade was finalized on February 5th. The Golden State Warriors, the Miami Heat, the Utah Jazz, and the Detroit Pistons agreed on a four team super-deal. This trade involved forward Jimmy Butler (Miami) being sent to Golden State; in return Warriors’ forward Kyle Anderson and Andrew Wiggins were sent to Miami along with a protected first round pick. The Utah Jazz received guard Dennis Schroder from the Warriors and an undecided 2031 second round pick, and in return they sent forward P.J. Tucker to Miami. Detroit received Warriors’ guard Lindy Waters III and Heat guard Josh Richardson. This trade sent shock around the league, because of how dedicated the Warriors were to trading for Suns Star Kevin Durant the day prior.
Every year the NBA has big trades when the February trade deadline approaches, but this corresponding set of trades will be one to remember.
