Just over a year ago, one of the biggest trades in modern NBA history took place. The Los Angeles Lakers sent forward Anthony Davis, guard Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick to the Dallas Mavericks in a trade for guard Luka Doncic and forwards Markieff Morris and Maxi Kleber.
The deal is still known for being one of the most controversial in NBA history. A then-31-year-old Anthony Davis, who has battled injuries in recent years, would go to his third team in his career. Meanwhile, a 25-year-old Luka Doncic, who’s just getting his basketball legacy started, would join one of the league’s most successful basketball franchises.
The Mavericks’ general manager at the time, Nico Harrison, was at the worst end of the deal. But the Lakers’ general manager, Rob Pelinka, and owner Jeanie Buss, put together an agreement that could turn out to be the greatest in franchise history.
Jeanie Buss Breaks Down the Days Leading up to Luka Doncic Trade
Fast forward to now, Buss was able to speak with former tennis pro Maria Sharapova in an interview, breaking down the days that led up to the deal.
“Dallas wanted Anthony Davis, and he was on our team. Conversations started, but it was important they remained private… Those conversations started at the beginning of January,” Buss explained.
“It required a lot of strategy and a lot of small steps in order to pull it off,” Jeanie Buss added. “Rob Pelinka was able to pull it off all without it leaking to the media because I think Mark Cuban would’ve jumped in front of a train to keep it from happening. Nobody knew, including Luka, Anthony Davis, and LeBron James.”
During this time, Nico Harrison went through with the trade without getting the consent of Mavericks minority owner, Mark Cuban.
“OK. Nothing more to talk about. I wouldn’t have done this. And thanks for giving me the call,” Cuban told Harrison following the deal, according to CBS Sports’ James Herbert.
Breaking Down the Result of the Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic Trade
Now, both teams have gotten a full NBA regular season with their new teams.
The Dallas Mavericks would go on to trade Anthony Davis once again, sending him to the Washington Wizards in a deal that featured eight players and five future draft picks.
Dallas missed the playoffs in 2025-26 with a 26-56 record.
Anthony Davis’ Mavericks career lasted just 29 games. A season-ending wrist injury would put an end to his 2025-26 season. During his Mavericks tenure, Davis averaged 20.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 blocks in 30.8 minutes per game.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers are playing in the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets. Luka Doncic has been out since April 2 with a Grade 2 hamstring strain despite the Lakers having a 3-2 lead on the Rockets entering Game 6.
Doncic, now 27 years old, won the NBA scoring title this year, averaging 33.5 points per game. He’s also contributed 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game while leading the Lakers to a 53-29 record and the No. 4 seed in the West.
It has taken a little over a year to determine who was the real winner in the blockbuster deal that took place on Feb. 1, 2025. The Lakers have their superstar for the future. Meanwhile, the Mavericks have moved on from Anthony Davis while leaning on the future of 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg.
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