WFAA News 8
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks are trading star Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers, according to a report from NBA insider Shams Charania.
The report states that the Mavs will receive the Lakers’ Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. It’s a three-team deal that includes the Utah Jazz, according to the report.
Doncic has been out of action for over a month after suffering a left calf strain on Christmas Day and Kleber, just a few days ago, underwent surgery for a fracture in his right foot.
ESPN reporter Tim MacMahon, a longtime member of the Mavericks press corps, shed some light on why exactly this trade was executed, including reporting a quote from Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison.
Harrison emphasized defense as a motivating factor for trading Doncic in a deal for center Anthony Davis, one of the top defensive players in the NBA.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Harrison told MacMahon. “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.”
MacMahon also reported on some frustrations the Mavericks reportedly had with Doncic, saying the team had “major concerns about moving forward” with Doncic “due to his constant conditioning issues,” along with an upcoming supermax contract extension he’ll be due to sign this summer.
