Lakers Stun Mavericks with Blockbuster Luka Dončić Trade

Anthony Davis was just as shocked as fans when he learned he was being traded to Dallas for the All-Star guard.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:54pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the moment of the Anthony Davis-Luka Dončić trade, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of color representing the chaos and confusion surrounding the unexpected deal.The surprise trade of two NBA superstars left both players feeling blindsided, exposing the cutthroat business side of professional basketball.Oklahoma City Today

In a surprising move, the Los Angeles Lakers traded star big man Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Dončić and a first-round pick. Davis, who helped the Lakers win a championship in 2020, said he had no idea the trade was happening and was caught off guard when his agent Rich Paul broke the news. Dončić was also surprised by the deal, with a look of disbelief on his face during his introductory press conference with the Lakers.

Why it matters

The trade of two All-NBA caliber players shakes up the Western Conference landscape, with the Lakers and Mavericks both looking to retool their rosters. It also raises questions about the Lakers' long-term plans and whether they felt Davis had reached the end of his prime in Los Angeles.

The details

According to Davis, his agent Rich Paul was the first to inform him of the trade, with Mavericks GM Nico Harrison then calling Davis to tell him he had been acquired. Davis said he was confused and surprised by the news, asking 'Who the f--- they gonna trade me for? Luka?' Both players were dealing with injuries at the time of the trade, with Davis suffering an abdominal strain and Dončić recovering from a left calf strain.

  • On February 1, 2025, the Lakers and Mavericks completed the blockbuster trade.
  • Davis made his Mavericks debut on February 8, 2025 but suffered a left adductor strain in his first game with the team.
  • Davis was later traded from the Mavericks to the Washington Wizards in February of the following season.

The players

Anthony Davis

A star big man who helped the Los Angeles Lakers win an NBA championship in 2020 before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks in a shocking deal for Luka Dončić.

Luka Dončić

The All-NBA guard for the Dallas Mavericks who was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and a first-round pick.

Nico Harrison

The general manager of the Dallas Mavericks who called Anthony Davis to inform him of the trade.

Rich Paul

The agent for Anthony Davis who first told him about the trade to the Mavericks.

Joel Embiid

The Philadelphia 76ers center who called Anthony Davis shortly before news of the trade broke.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I told you I was going to come get you one day. I wanted you.”

— Nico Harrison, Dallas Mavericks General Manager

“I had no idea this was happening. And I couldn't make sense of it. ... From a business standpoint, I can't be mad. But why? It just caught me off guard.”

— Anthony Davis

What’s next

The Lakers will look to integrate Luka Dončić into their lineup and make a playoff push, while the Mavericks will aim to build around their new star big man Anthony Davis.

The takeaway

This blockbuster trade between the Lakers and Mavericks shakes up the Western Conference power structure, with both teams hoping to retool their rosters around new franchise cornerstones. The surprise nature of the deal, with both Davis and Dončić caught off guard, adds an extra layer of intrigue to this high-profile swap of All-NBA talents.