The NBA has seen its fair share of blockbuster trades over the years, but few have sent shockwaves through the league quite like the deal that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. It was the kind of move that made fans do a double-take, not just because of the star power involved, but because of what it signified - a seismic shift in direction for both franchises.
Dallas gave up a 25-year-old superstar in Dončić, a player many believed would be a lifer in a Mavericks uniform. He wasn’t just the face of the franchise - he was the franchise.
The kind of talent you build around, not trade away. But the Mavericks went all-in on a new vision, bringing in Davis, a still-elite big man when healthy, and adding young wing Max Christie, future draft assets, and eventually landing Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick.
At the time, the trade sparked endless debate. Who won?
Who lost? Was this a long-term play for Dallas or an immediate win-now move for LA?
But now, with the season in full swing, the early returns are painting a pretty clear picture - and it’s one that tilts heavily in favor of the Lakers.
Let’s start with the obvious: Luka Dončić is putting together a season for the ages.
Not only did he lead all NBA players in All-Star voting, but he’s also pacing the league in scoring. And while the Lakers as a team have had their ups and downs, there’s no mistaking who’s keeping them afloat. Dončić has been the engine, the spark, and the stabilizer - often all at once.
But if you’re looking for one stat that really drives home the impact Dončić is having, consider this: Anthony Davis has scored 407 total points this season. Luka? He’s scored 408 points just in the first quarter of games.
Let that sink in.
Dončić has scored more in the opening 12 minutes of games than Davis has scored all season. Yes, Davis has missed time - and that matters - but it doesn’t change how staggering that stat is. It’s a testament to just how dominant Dončić has been from the opening tip, night after night.
Now, to be fair to Dallas, this wasn’t a one-for-one deal. They didn’t just swap Davis for Dončić.
They got Christie, who’s shown flashes. They added draft capital.
And they landed Cooper Flagg, a potential franchise cornerstone. If Flagg blossoms into an All-NBA player - and there’s a real chance he does - this trade could look a lot different in five years.
But in the here and now? It’s not close.
Dončić is not only outplaying Davis - he’s outproducing him in ways that are almost hard to believe. His scoring, his leadership, his ability to carry a team that’s still finding its identity - it’s all adding up to a season that has him firmly in the MVP conversation.
And while Dallas may have made this move with the long game in mind, the short-term reality is clear: the Lakers came out on top. They landed a generational talent in his prime, and he’s delivering in a big way.
There’s still a lot of basketball left to be played. Cooper Flagg’s story is just beginning.
And Anthony Davis, when healthy, is still a force. But right now, Luka Dončić is showing exactly why he’s one of the most unstoppable players in the league - and why the Lakers are reaping the rewards of one of the boldest trades in recent memory.