There has been a lot of talk about potential trades for the Lakers over the past few weeks. While the high-profile team clearly needed some help given their roster and lack of size, many experts and executives expected them to stay rather quiet at the upcoming trade deadline.

Los Angeles is a big market team, but they’re one who almost always brings in big names during the offseason. They don’t like to leverage their future, are always focused on the next dynasty, and are happy to lose a season or two in order to wait for the best possible moment to strike.
That’s why so many were surprised when they went out and made one of the biggest trades of the year. In fact, it might be one of the biggest of the last decade.
No Bigger Than This
In a move that can only be described as shocking, the Lakers dealt Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first round pick for Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris. The deal is a three-team trade that also includes the Utah Jazz.
There’s a lot going on there, but the only thing that truly matters are the two big names. Doncic, considered by many to be one of the best guards in NBA history, and Davis, who is having an unbelievable season at the center position.
It’s rare for two NBA teams to swap such high profile players, and it’s even more rare when one of those players is a guard and one is a center. Davis has largely been the centerpoint for the Lakers this season, while Doncic has been a stout leader for the Mavericks since joining the team six years ago.
Both players are perennial all-stars and future hall of famers. However, such moves don’t happen in a vacuum. There are many moving pieces to any high-profile deal, and it seems the Lakers might come out ahead on this one.
A Guard for a Big Man

Currently, Davis and Doncic are having incredibly strong seasons at their respective positions. Davis is averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.3 steals a game, while Doncic is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 2 steals.
Both players command a lot of attention on the offensive side of the ball, have plenty of ways to score, and know how to take over a game. Even so, Davis is much taller than Doncic, adds a size element, and brings a lot more defensively than the smaller guard.
That alone is a big reason the Mavericks wanted him on their team. General Manager Nico Harrison stated they needed someone who could anchor their defense while also providing a scoring threat. Davis does exactly that.
In addition, early reports state the Mavericks had a lot of trepidation about Doncic’s future. While the guard is undoubtedly one of best guards in the league, he had some conditioning issues and there were questions about his looming supermax deal. Those two aspects were a big reason Dallas decided to move on.

The Difference in Years
Looking at the above information, it seems that both Dallas and Los Angeles struck an even deal. However, there’s one more key factor that needs to be considered: age. Davis, as good as he is, is 31 years old. Doncic is only 25.
That six year difference is massive in a sport like the NBA, especially due to the fact that Davis has already had a slew of small injuries this year. One big ailment, either this season or the next, could very well be the end of his career.
In contrast, Doncic is in his prime. He’s playing top-tier basketball, can log plenty of minutes, and has many more seasons to bounce back if something goes wrong. That alone makes the deal much safer for the Lakers than it does for Dallas.
Now vs. The Future
While many will discuss the surprising nature of the deal, it all comes down to two different philosophies. The Lakers know that LeBron James, for all of his talent, is in the final years of his career. He and Davis were doing a decent job at keeping Los Angeles afloat, but sticking with the duo likely meant having to fully rebuild in just a few years time.
Bringing in Doncic makes the transition away from James much easier, and gives the team another superstar who can take over and start the next dynasty. Not only that, but balancing James with someone like Doncic could give the Lakers a shot at their next ring.
On the other hand, the Mavericks believe they have a roster capable of winning now. Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson are both superstars in their own right, and getting a center with Davis’ talents fully rounds out the team.
The Lakers are thinking more about the future, while the Mavericks are making a play at a ring this season. It might work. It might not. Either way, there’s no doubt there’s a new face in Los Angeles. And fans are going to be more than happy to see him.