Three-team trade sends Luka Doncic to Lakers, Anthony Davis to Mavs

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).

Mavericks trading Luka Doncic to Lakers for Anthony Davis

Per the LA Times:

The Lakers pulled off a stunning trade Saturday night, sending center Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in a three-team deal for star guard Luka Doncic to set up the organization for its post-LeBron James era with one of the NBA’s best young players.

The deal happened after the Lakers beat the New York Knicks 128-112 in Madison Square Garden, according to people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly. The Lakers sent Davis, young guard Max Christie and their 2029 first-round draft pick to Dallas for Doncic and forwards Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. The Lakers also sent second-year guard Jalen Hood-Schifino to the Utah Jazz, who got second-round picks from the Lakers (their 2025 pick from the Clippers) and Mavericks to facilitate the trade.

Per the Dallas Morning News:

Doncic is in his seventh NBA season and averages 28.6 points for his career, third-highest in NBA history to this point.

This season, however, Doncic has only played in 22 games and has missed the last 18 with a left calf strain, drawing even closer scrutiny with his career-long struggles with maintaining optimal conditioning.

Until this trade, Doncic was eligible to receive a five-year, $345 million supermax extension from the Mavericks this offseason, and in recent weeks there had been rumblings about whether Dallas and its face of the franchise were headed to a crossroad of uncertainty

Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray out with season-ending injury

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that guard Dejounte Murray has been diagnosed with a ruptured right Achilles tendon. An MRI taken last night confirmed the injury, which occurred during the first quarter of last night’s game against the Boston Celtics.

Murray will miss the remainder of the season.

Per the New Orleans Times-Picayune, “Murray, in his eighth NBA season, is in his first season with the Pelicans. He was acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks during the offseason. He came into the game averaging 17.9 points, 7.6 assists and 6.5 rebounds. Trey Murphy said he played the rest of the game for his teammate. “It hurts a lot, I can’t lie to you,” said Murphy, who scored 40 points in the loss. “He’s been through a lot already.”

Injury update on Hornets forward Josh Okogie

The Charlotte Hornets announced today that additional evaluation on forward Josh Okogie’s left hamstring revealed a left hamstring strain. He suffered the injury in the third quarter of Charlotte’s game against the LA Clippers last night. Okogie is listed as out tonight against the Denver Nuggets and will be reevaluated in three weeks. Additional updates on his status will be provided as appropriate.

The Hornets acquired Okogie and three second-round draft picks in a trade with the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 15 in exchange for center Nick Richards and one second-round draft pick. Okogie has appeared in seven games with Charlotte, recording 10.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.7 steals in 21.3 minutes per contest. The Lagos, Nigeria, native holds career averages of 6.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 408 outings (162 starts) across seven seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Suns and Hornets. He was originally selected in the first round (20th overall) of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Timberwolves.

Jazz trade Drew Eubanks, Patty Mills to Clippers for Mo Bamba, P.J. Tucker, draft pick

The LA Clippers have acquired Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills in a trade with the Utah Jazz for Mo Bamba, P.J. Tucker, a 2030 second-round pick and cash considerations, it was announced by Lawrence Frank, President of Basketball Operations.

Eubanks is in his seventh NBA season and has played in 360 games (75 starts) with averages of 5.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.0 assist. He has shot 60.6% from the field in 15.9 minutes with San Antonio, Portland, Phoenix and the Jazz. Eubanks has totaled 13 career double-doubles and scored 20 or more points in six games, posting a career-high 27 against Oklahoma City on March 28, 2022.

Mills, in his 16th NBA season, has appeared in 909 games (112 starts) with Portland, San Antonio, Brooklyn, Atlanta, Miami and the Jazz. He owns career averages of 8.8 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 boards in 20.1 minutes. During the 2013-14 campaign, Mills appeared in 81 games, helping the Spurs to an NBA championship while averaging 10.2 points on 42.5% from 3-point range. He was awarded the 2021-22 NBA Sportsmanship Award and is a native of Canberra, Australia.

Bamba appeared in 28 games for the Clippers this season, averaging 4.6 points and 4.3 rebounds. The 7-foot center has appeared in 360 career games with Orlando, the Lakers, Philadelphia and the Clippers, averaging 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots. Bamba was originally selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft out of Texas.

Tucker has appeared in 883 games (666 starts) during his 13-year NBA career and has averaged 6.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals. Originally selected by Toronto in the second round (No. 35 overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft, Tucker has played for the Raptors, Phoenix, Houston, Milwaukee, Miami, Philadelphia and the Clippers. Tucker played collegiately at Texas from 2003-06, earning Big 12 Player of the Year in 2006.

Injury update on Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr.

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the following injury update on guard Terrence Shannon Jr., who suffered a right foot injury on Saturday, Jan. 11 at the 1:26 minute mark of the third quarter of the Iowa Wolves vs. Rio Grande Valley Vipers game:

Shannon Jr. has been cleared for full-contact, 5-on-5 basketball activities, and will be listed as Questionable on the Status Report for tomorrow’s game against the Washington Wizards.

Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart suspended, fined by NBA

Detroit Pistons forward-center Isaiah Stewart has been suspended one game without pay for accruing his sixth Flagrant Foul point of the 2024-25 regular season, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

Stewart, who entered Wednesday’s game with four Flagrant Foul points, received a Flagrant Foul 2 and was ejected with 8:45 remaining in the second quarter of the Pistons’ 133-119 loss to the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Jan. 29. Stewart will serve his suspension tonight when the Pistons host the Dallas Mavericks at Little Caesars Arena.

Injury update on Hawks forward Jalen Johnson

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, who left Atlanta’s Jan. 23 game vs. Toronto after sustaining a left shoulder dislocation, has been diagnosed with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He is scheduled to undergo surgery next week at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex, performed by Dr. Kyle Hammond. Johnson will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season and is expected to make a full recovery in advance of the 2025-26 season.

Injury update on Cavs forward Dean Wade

The Cleveland Cavaliers released today a status update on forward Dean Wade:

Dean Wade sustained a right knee injury during the third quarter of the Cavaliers’ January 24thgame at Philadelphia. An MRI administered on Monday at Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine revealed a right knee bone bruise. Wade will be re-evaluated in approximately two (2) weeks, following a series of treatment and rehabilitation. His status and return to basketball activities will be updated as appropriate. Wade was not available for the Cavaliers previous two games versus Houston (1/25) and Detroit (1/27).