NBA history was changed forever one year ago when the Dallas Mavericks altered their franchise forever by trading superstar Luka Doncic to Los Angeles Lakers.
The tweet that shocked the NBA world went out in the early hours one year ago to the date on Feb. 2, 2025. Out of absolutely nowhere, the Dallas Mavericks traded franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic, along with Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris, to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for a 2029 first rounder, Anthony Davis, and Max Christie. It came with no forewarning, no demand by Doncic, who was shocked, and seemingly, with no good reason to alert the franchise forever in the middle of the night. One year later, the decision by Nico Harrison and the Mavs is just as shocking. The wounds are a bit easier to lick in Dallas with the arrival of rookie superstar Cooper Flagg, but it doesn’t erase the deep feelings of betrayal that haunt the city and the team.
The Lakers haven’t been able to capitalize on Doncic’s stardom alongside LeBron James for a title yet, but they are looking to contend this postseason, while the Mavericks are looking towards the future of the core built around Flagg. It was an incredible stroke of luck to trade away the team’s best player and immediately receive the first overall pick in the draft, one that landed them Flagg, but he’s not Luka. That emotional connection will take some time to rebuild and get distanced from Doncic.
Here is the full story from Mavs Roundtable writer Jonah Kubicek on the trade that continues to haunt the team.
The reaction was sheer shock by fans, NBA players, and his Dallas teammates. The fact that it happened in the dead of night with no warning at all made it harder to swallow, and Doncic was as stunned as everyone in basketball. Looking back on the most baffling trade in league history one year later, the move still is befuddling to all.