CLEVELAND – The Mavericks made it official on Sunday morning, announcing the trade of franchise icon Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers and welcoming veteran superstar Anthony Davis to Dallas.
General manager Nico Harrison said: “We are thankful for Luka and grateful for his efforts during his time with us. He helped build this team and was an integral part of the success we’ve seen throughout the years, including our recent NBA Finals run, along with Maxi and Markieff who are veteran voices equally valued across this team.
“This is a new chapter, and we are excited to welcome Anthony and Max to the fold. AD is an experienced veteran, who can play both ends of the floor while helping elevate us defensively. He knows first-hand what it takes to win, and I know he’s motivated to be a part of what we’re building in Dallas.”
There are many “whys” that are left to be answered about the motivation to pull off a blockbuster just four days before the NBA’s trade deadline on Thursday.
But we know the facts.
Anthony Davis, a 6-10 forward/center, is averaging 25.7 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. He’s in his 13th season and is a proven winner as part of the Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship team. He turns 32 on March 11.
Max Christie is a 6-6 shooting guard who is averaging 8.5 points and shooting 36.8 percent from three-point range. The Mavericks also are getting the Lakers’ 2029 first round draft pick.
In addition to Dončić, the Lakers are getting Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris.
Utah was included to facilitate the deal and will receive Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks.
It’s one of the most stunning trades in NBA history. The Mavericks have been without Luka since Christmas Day, when he suffered a strained left calf and limped to the locker room.
Nobody knew at the time that it would be the last time he’d step on the American Airlines Court as a Maverick.
The deal came together, apparently, on Friday night.
As he sat in the corner stall of the visitors’ locker room at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, something clearly wasn’t right with Morris. It wasn’t just the Mavericks’ loss to the Pistons that was bothering him.
He fidgeted with his cellphone. Assistant coach Darrell Armstrong came by and offered some kind words.
Now we know why.
Word of the deal leaked out via ESPN on Saturday night.
X: @ESefko
Below is the official news release
DALLAS – The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they acquired 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, guard Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for guard Luka Dončić, forward/center Maxi Kleber and forward/center Markieff Morris. As part of the three-team deal, the Utah Jazz acquires guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round pick from Los Angeles and a 2025 second-round pick from Dallas.
“We are thankful for Luka and grateful for his efforts during his time with us,” stated General Manager Nico Harrison. “He helped build this team and was an integral part of the success we’ve seen throughout the years, including our recent NBA Finals run, along with Maxi and Markieff who are veteran voices equally valued across this team. This isa new chapter, and we are excited to welcome Anthony and Max to the fold. AD is an experienced veteran, who can
play both ends of the floor while helping elevate us defensively. He knows first-hand what it takes to win, and I know he’s motivated to be a part of what we’re building in Dallas.”
Davis (6-10, 268) holds career averages of 24.2 points (.523 FG%, .795 FT%), 10.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.3 blocks and 34.5 minutes per game in 778 career games (771 starts) with the New Orleans Pelicans and Lakers. In 42 games (all starts) for Los Angeles this season, he has averaged 25.7 points (.528 FG%, .788 FT%), 11.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.1 blocks in 34.3 minutes.
The 13-year veteran is a 10-time All-Star, a four-time All-NBA First Team selection (2015, 2017, 2018, 2020), a 2024 All-NBA Second Team honoree, a three-time NBA All-Defensive Team First Team selection (2018, 2020, 2024) and a two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team honoree (2015, 2017). Davis was a member of the Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship team that featured Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd as an assistant coach. The 2017 NBA All-Star Game MVP and member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team has also won two gold medals as a
member of the U.S. Olympic Team (2012, 2024).
Davis was selected by New Orleans with the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft after one season with the University of Kentucky, where he was named the National College Player of the Year after leading the Wildcats to the 2012 NCAA title.
Christie (6-5, 205) holds career averages of 5.2 points (.433 FG%, .373 3FG%, .832 FT%), 2.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 16.9 minutes in 154 career games (35 starts) with the Lakers. He is averaging career highs of 8.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 25.1 minutes in 46 games (career-high 25 starts) this season. The third-year guard was drafted by Los Angeles in the second round (35th overall pick) of the 2022 NBA Draft after one season at Michigan State, where he garnered Big-Ten All-Freshman Team honors for the Spartans.
Dončić (6-7, 230) spent his first seven seasons with Dallas, averaging 28.6 points (.470 FG%, .348 3FG%, .748 FT%), 8.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 34.9 minutes in 422 games (all starts) with the franchise. He garnered five All-Star and First-Team All-NBA selections with Dallas (2020-24), and is the franchise’s all-time leader in triple-doubles (80).
Kleber (6-10, 240) spent his first eight seasons with Dallas and averaged 6.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 22.3 minutes in 440 games (151 starts) with the Mavericks.
Morris (6-9, 245) saw action in 41 games (two starts) for the Mavericks after being acquired by the Mavericks midway through the 2022-23 season. He averaged 2.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 8.0 minutes.
