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 overwhelmingly thankful for AD’s six seasons with the Lakers, where he led our franchise to a championship and cemented himself as a perennial NBA All-Star,” said Lakers General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka. “We are proud of Max Christie’s development as a Laker as he has grown into an impact 3-and-D player and we are appreciative of the work Jalen Hood-Schifino has put in to show professionalism at every level. Sports are about transformative moments. We are inspired by these moments Lakers fans know, expect and love with a franchise that continually ushers in new eras of greatness.”
“Luka is a one-of-a-kind, young global superstar who will lead this franchise for years to come,” continued Pelinka. “His killer instincts and commitment to winning championships will be a driving force for the team. We will be relentless in building a roster around the on-court vision Coach Redick has for this basketball team and there is an unwavering commitment to that work to serve our loyal and dedicated fans. We are grateful for today and look forward to what’s next.”
Dončić is one of three players in league history to garner five All-NBA First Team selections before age 26, joining Kevin Durant and Tim Duncan. The 25-year-old has tallied 12,089 points, 3,655 rebounds and 3,489 assists and is one of two players in NBA history to record at least 10,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 3,000 assists through their first 400 career games (Oscar Robertson). Dončić became the first Maverick to claim an NBA scoring title after averaging 33.9 points during the 2023-24 campaign. That season on Jan. 26, Dončić scored a franchise-record 73 points versus the Atlanta Hawks, which tied for the fourth-most in NBA history. He currently stands second all-time in triple-doubles by players aged 25 or younger with 80, trailing only Oscar Robertson (117).
This season, Dončić has appeared in 22 games (all starts), averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.0 steals in 35.7 minutes. In 422 career NBA regular season games (all starts) across seven campaigns with Dallas (2018-25), Dončić has averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 34.9 minutes. Dončić’s career points per game average in the regular season is the third highest in NBA history. In 50 career playoff games (all starts), he’s averaged 30.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.7 steals in 38.9 minutes with an NBA Finals appearance in 2024. The five-time NBA All-Star ranks second all-time in playoff scoring average and tied-sixth in postseason triple-doubles (10). The Slovenian was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the third overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft prior to being traded to Dallas to begin his NBA career. Dončić went on to win the 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year award after averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 32.2 minutes.
“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 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.”
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).