Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates a lead with Dorian Finney-Smith #17 (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Dallas Mavericks did the unthinkable by trading Luka Doncic, becoming the heist of the century for the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s a move that many thought was initially fake and has since left rival superstars stunned. A 25-year-old superstar who has earned five All-NBA First-Team nods less than a year after leading the Mavericks to the NBA Finals was just moved in the blink of an eye.
The Lakers sent Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick from the Mavericks in exchange for Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris. As part of the three-team trade, the Utah Jazz received Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2025 second-round pick from the Lakers, and a 2025 second-round pick from the Mavericks.
However, the Lakers are not finished working through potential trade scenarios now that Anthony Davis is no longer anchoring the Lakers down the middle. Sources have indicated to RG that the Lakers are pursuing center options before the deadline. Some trade candidates include Nic Claxton, Robert Williams III, Jonas Valanciunas, and Jakob Poeltl.
If the Lakers want to lean on switching, Claxton would be a strong fit to accomplish that. He’s also more of a lob threat than the other trade candidates. Poeltl provides more of an interior defensive presence than others, but is also more of a short roll option—which could be something to consider to combat double teams.
Myles Turner is a talent the Lakers would like to trade for, but the Indiana Pacers lack interest in parting with him, given his stretch-five skill set is vital to their play style. Sources have indicated to RG that it isn’t likely that Indiana will part with him at the deadline despite not being eligible to give Turner a contract extension.
In the long-term, some league personnel have speculated whether the Lakers should trade Austin Reaves in a package with their 2031 first-round pick. However, league sources have indicated to RG that the acquisition of Doncic has caused that pick to lose value. That’s the kind of impact that the acquisition of the Slovenian superstar is expected to have on the Lakers’ long-term future.
The Lakers do not have time to waste competing before LeBron James decides to retire. They now have a franchise cornerstone in Doncic, who was initially “devastated” by the trade, but has since embraced his new opportunity with the Lakers. However, Los Angeles still needs to entice Doncic to commit long term.
The Mavericks’ midseason trade for Kyrie Irving saw them initially struggle in 2023 because of a lack of perimeter size and of an interior presence. Doncic and Irving both dealt with injuries off and on during that stretch run of the season, which didn’t help either. But the Lakers do already have Dorian Finney-Smith, Doncic’s former Mavericks teammates, who was moved to acquire Irving from the Brooklyn Nets, and LeBron James.
Now, they need to find a center.
Grant Afseth
