Luka Doncic got some bad news after being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
Luka Doncic (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
The Slovenian guard is set to leave the Dallas Mavericks in shocking fashion, with the team opting to part ways ahead of the February 6 trade deadline. Doncic departs alongside Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, while the Lakers are sending Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick the other way.
The Utah Jazz were also involved in the deal. They will receive Jalen Hood-Schifino plus two second-round picks for this year.
Luka is said to have been “stunned” by the trade, which will have him playing elsewhere for the first time since the Atlanta Hawks drafted him and traded him to Dallas in 2018.
Luka Doncic Trade To Affect Superstar’s Pockets
Life will be very different for Luka as a Laker, yet there are bigger implications than meet the eye. Given the development, the guard will no longer be eligible for a super-max extension, having previously been in line for a five-year deal that would have paid him $345 million.
“There are major financial implications for Luka Doncic with this trade. He was in line to receive a five-year $345 million contract this summer,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks pointed out in a tweet. “Doncic is no longer super max eligible.”
While the trade looks like a terrible one for the Mavs, they’re reported to have had concerns over the player’s conditioning issues and having to commit to him long-term.
He will still be eligible for an extension in the summer, and the Lakers will probably sign him to the biggest deal they can, as he’s now set to be the new face of the franchise with the LeBron James era dwindling.
REPORT: Anonymous Current NBA All-Star Boldly Claims Dallas Mavericks “Hated” Luka Doncic Amid Blockbuster Lakers Trade
Luka Doncic (Image Credit: Getty Images)
The latest buzz from ESPN’s Shams Charania left the entire NBA community speechless. According to Charania, the Dallas Mavericks are making a blockbuster move, trading superstar Luka Doncic, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, rising star Max Christie, and a coveted 2029 first-round pick. This is a three-team deal that includes Utah.
This news definitely sparked some back-and-forth within the NBA community. Players, analysts, and fans alike didn’t hold back their thoughts. Meanwhile, in the midst of all the chatter, an anonymous current NBA All-Star dropped a bombshell, declaring that the Dallas Mavericks hated Doncic during a jaw-dropping Lakers trade.
ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst recently reflected on the league’s reaction to the trade involving Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis. During his discussion, he mentioned, “I had a current NBA All-Star text me and say, ‘Do you know how much the Mavericks must hate Luka?’”
Even though Windhorst kept the identity of the NBA All-Star under wraps, it’s pretty obvious that this trade sent shockwaves through the league. Many believe that this is one of the most shocking trades in NBA history.
Anthony Davis And Luka Doncic Caught Off Guard By Trade News
Luka Doncic suffered a left calf strain during a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas Day and has been sidelined since. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis has been suggesting that the Lakers add another center to their roster over the past few weeks. Fans have started speculating about these possible reasons for this trade. According to Shams Charania, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Luka Doncic were unaware of the trade.
“This deal materialized in the shadows … LeBron James had no idea this was coming. Anthony Davis had no idea this was coming. I’m told Luka Doncic is still stunned about this trade,” Charania said.
The Doncic-Davis trade chatter is already creating quite a stir within the NBA community. It’s going to be fascinating to witness how various players, coaches, and analysts react to this move in the days ahead.