The NBA world was turned upside down in a matter of minutes on Saturday, when Shams Charania of ESPN broke the news that the Los Angeles Lakers had somehow, inexplicably traded for Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. A 25-year-old superstar and one of the top five players in the league.
It is hard to think the Pau Gasol heist they pulled off all those years ago could ever be topped - and yet in sending out the 31-year-old Anthony Davis, plus Max Christie and a pick - the Lakers did exactly that. Much to the dismay of fans of other franchises, there was no veto by the league office like when they attempted to add Chris Paul more than a decade ago either.
Doncic to the Lakers spells bad news for the Phoenix Suns.
Everybody assumed that if one star was going to move between now and the deadline, it would be Jimmy Butler leaving the Miami Heat. The Suns were spoken about as his preferred destination - and while there were many obstacles to making that happen - even if it somehow could it is now completely pointless.
The Lakers have managed to do something that the Suns never could, and never will. They took the brave decision to move on a generational big in Davis, even if there is no doubt that they got the better player and the better end of the deal. This is one of the steals of the century. The Suns can't move Bradley Beal, and they won't move Devin Booker or Kevin Durant.
It's 1000% real: pic.twitter.com/ncNjpN37gU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
The same Booker who wasn't even an named an All-Star this season, while the Lakers have managed to acquire a guy who just did what Booker managed back in 2021 and led his former team to the NBA Finals. Owner Mat Ishbia will do whatever it takes to win - although he must not have been aware Doncic was available - as he surely would have considered all options.
The real issue here though is that the Lakers have not only blown past the Suns in terms of winning a title this season, they also have the best player between both rosters moving forward. Although the Lakers are currently above the Suns in the standings, both were on a similar trajectory this season that was going to end - at best - with winning perhaps one round in the playoffs.
"Insane. It's crazy, crazy."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 2, 2025
Kevin Durant on mega Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade.
"Players are held to a different standard of loyalty and commitment to a program but the organizations don't get held to that same standard from the outside."
On teams following suit before Feb.… pic.twitter.com/DekP4eRN6N
Now though the Lakers have the opportunity to get back into the mix this season - even if it is unclear how they defend opponents at this point - while 36-year-old Durant doesn't look nearly as appealing when you consider LeBron James can now pass the crown to Doncic. The Suns are all in to win now, and in one move the Lakers just skipped them in the queue.
To say nothing else of all of the other Western Conference organizations who are also better placed than the Suns to win right now, and this comes hot on the heels of a 127-108 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. A game in which the Suns had their three best players available to them, but instead it was former Sun Deandre Ayton who won the day, despite Booker's 37 points. A dreadful development.