Luka Doncic To Lakers, Davis to Mavericks:
Lakers receive: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markeiff Morris
Jazz receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, two 2nd round picks
Mavericks Receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, Lakers 2029 1st round pick
Lakers: A
Any time a top five player who is 25 years old is offered to you, you take him. This is what the Lakers did when they were offered Luka Doncic, even if it came at the price of Anthony Davis. This gives the Lakers a full blanket of security for when Lebron James retires or slows down to a role player. The Lakers title hopes looked slim to none this season, and in the short term, the Luka trade is awful, as Luka is currently injured, out of shape, and leaves the Lakers without a center.
However in the long term, this could not have been a better trade for the Lakers as they will immediately become a legit contender entering the 2025-26 season. Luka took the Mavericks to the NBA finals last season, where they lost to the Boston Celtics. Luka has been an unstoppable force since he entered the league, scoring 28.6 ppg, 8.3 apg, and 8.7 rpg, throughout his career. He is a five time member of the All NBA First Team.
Mavericks: F
The Mavericks possibly made the worst trade in recent sports history. Luka Doncic was their face of the franchise, and while he was there he led the Mavericks to the NBA finals just last season. Before the trade, Luka was viewed as one of the most untouchable players in the market. In return, the Mavericks only got a 31 year old Anthony Davis who has missed 104 games since 2021.
Only one first round pick in return for Luka is unacceptable as we have seen players like Mikal Bridges be given up for five. A player like Luka comes around in the draft about once every five years. The only way the Mavericks win this trade is if they were right about Luka’s weight problems and his weight ends up ruining his career, however that is more of an excuse for the trade as a legitimate reason for it.
De’Aaron Fox to Spurs, Zach LaVine to Kings:
Spurs receive: De’Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin
Kings receive: Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, Charlotte 2025 1st round pick, San Antonio 2027 1st round pick, Chicago 2025 2nd round pick, Denver 2028 2nd round pick, Rights returned to their 2028 2nd round pick, Minnesota 2031 1st round pick
Bulls receive: Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, Rights to their 2025 1st round pick
Spurs: A
De’Aaron Fox has finished his eight years as a Sacramento King and is moving to San Antonio in exchange for a 2027 1st round pick. This is a great trade for the Spurs. Fox was averaging 25 points and shooting 46.7% with the Kings this season. This opportunity for him to show up to a new team and give them all he’s got could be huge for him. Giving up the pick wasn’t all that bad either. Although it was a first rounder, the pick is for 2027 which isn’t for another three drafts. Pairing up Fox with Wembamyama and Chris Paul could make a deadly trio in Texas.
Kings: A
The Kings made the most out of their disgruntled All-Star, as they did about the best they possibly could to get rid of Fox who no longer wanted anything to do with Sacramento. The Kings received three first round picks, including Charlotte’s 2025 pick, which should fall in the top five this season. Also getting Zach Lavine keeps the Kings in the playoff mix, as they currently sit 10th in the competitive western conference, just inside of the play-in tournament. This trade looks fantastic compared to the Mavericks, who only could pull in one first round pick for a top five NBA player, whereas the Kings were able to pull in three.
Bulls: A
The Bulls had to get rid of the long-time Chicago Star Zach LaVine in this trade. LaVine wanted to stay in Chicago for his whole career, saying he loves the city in several interviews. Despite getting rid of their biggest key player, the Bulls still generally won their side of the trade. They got three somewhat younger players (27, 26, 25) and their own first round pick back, which they previously lost when trading away Demar Derozan. This puts them in a great rebuilding position, since they’re currently 10th in the Eastern Conference and can now tank without worries. They did have to give up their second round pick, but in return they still got more value so it was worth it.
The deadline ends February 6th, so there is still plenty of time for players like Jimmy Butler to find a new home.
