Mavericks Trade Luka Dončić to Lakers for Anthony Davis
Mavericks get: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick
Lakers get: Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris
Lakers: A
The window to win a championship with Davis and LeBron James was rapidly closing for the Lakers, and this unprecedented trade secured them a promising future. Dončić is a top-three player in the NBA and is just 25 years old.
Mavericks: C-
Davis is already out for multiple weeks after just one game with the Mavs. This move isn’t as bad as the NBA world is making it out to be, there is no denying how perplexing it is considering they were in the finals last year — led by the man they traded away. Had they shopped Dončić around, they also probably could’ve gotten way more for him. The trade is stunning at best; only time will tell how horrible (or great) the decision was.
Kings trade De’Aaron Fox to Spurs, landing Zach LaVine from Bulls in three-team deal
Spurs get: De’Aaron Fox and Jordan McLaughlin
Kings get: Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three first-round picks, and three second-round picks
Bulls get: Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, and their own 2025 pick
Kings: B-
After Fox’s decision to not sign an extension with the Kings, trading Fox was inevitable. Nevertheless, this trade was not ideal for the Kings. The only potentially valuable pick they received from the Charlotte Hornets is top 10 protected. The Kings now boast an offense-heavy team with minimal defensive prowess.
Spurs: A+
The Spurs didn’t have to give up any of their young core to acquire Fox, whose explosiveness and playmaking fit dangerously well with Victor Wembanyama’s skillset.
Bulls: D-
The Bulls got rid of LaVine’s $215 million deal but couldn’t get any valuable picks or pieces to start rebuilding.
Warriors land Jimmy Butler, send Andrew Wiggins to the Heat
Warriors get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, PJ Tucker, and a 2025 first-round pick
Warriors: B
Losing Wiggins, Anderson, and Dennis Schröder — who in 24 hours moved to the Heat, then to the Jazz, then to the Pistons (you have to feel for the guy) — stings, but the Dubs have to squeeze the last out of Steph. With Butler, anything can happen if Golden State makes the playoffs.
Heat: B
Getting rid of their disgruntled star was necessary, and landing Wiggins — a one-time all-star — isn’t too bad. The Heat are in a tumultuous situation nonetheless, too good to tank but not good enough to make noise in the East.
Other notable trades include the Pelicans sending Brandon Ingram to the Raptors, the Bucks parting ways with Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma, Jonas Valančiūnas to the Kings, the Cavaliers moving Caris LeVert to the Hawks for Deandre Hunter, and the Mavericks picking up Caleb Martin from the 76ers.
Despite this league-wide shake up, I still have the Thunder winning the West and the Cavaliers winning the East.
