The trade to end all trades: Doncic set to team up with LeBron James at the Lakers

The world of basketball has been left stunned by the news that one of the biggest trades of the 21st century has just been agreed: Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic is heading to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Having spent his entire NBA career so far with the Mavericks - a franchise he joined in 2018 - Doncic is set to link up with veteran superstar LeBron James in LA, tasked with helping the Lakers to regain the championship.

Doncic, 25, and James, 40, will form a partnership of generational talents: one coming to the end of an illustrious career, the other the face of the future.

What are the terms of the Doncic-to-Lakers trade?

The blockbuster trade, which was revealed by ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania, is a three-way deal, with the Utah Jazz also involved.

Alongside Doncic, the Lakers’ Anthony Davis is the other key individual in the agreement: he is to head to Dallas together with Max Christie. The Lakers will not only receive Doncic, but also Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris.

Meanwhile, Utah will get the Lakers’ Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks in the 2025 Draft: one from the Los Angeles Clippers and the other from the Mavericks. Finally, the Lakers will send a 2029 first-round Draft pick to the Mavericks.

Why have the Mavericks traded Doncic?

The Mavericks made the first move in talks over the trade. Per NBA insider Marc Stein, Dallas offered Doncic to the Lakers after a change of direction by the Mavericks' general manager, Nico Harrison, over the team’s future plans.

Dallas proposed the trade without previously consulting Doncic, who did not ask to leave Texas. The former Real Madrid player was informed of his team’s intentions on Saturday.

ESPN’s Tim McMahon has reported that the Mavericks had “major” worries about Doncic’s diet and conditioning, and were also concerned about the “looming commitment” of the player’s upcoming contract extension. He was in line for a supermax deal worth $345 million over five years.

As ESPN’s Bobby Marks notes, Doncic is no longer eligible for a supermax extension as a result of this trade. The five-time NBA All-Star will have to negotiate a new contract with the Los Angeles franchise.

For the moment, Doncic is guaranteed just under $95 million across the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons, according to sports finance specialists Spotrac.

Mavs GM: “Defense wins championships”

Speaking to ESPN, Harrison said the Mavericks were keen to bolster their defensive capabilities by adding Davis to their ranks.

“I believe that defense wins championships,” the GM explained. “I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future.”

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.