Over a sleepy NFL playoff weekend, the NBA shook with two franchise-altering trades. The Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, and the Sacramento Kings traded De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team deal with the Chicago Bulls.
The decision by the Mavericks to trade Doncic, 25, a five-time All-Star, surprised much of the basketball world. The trade, completed Saturday, brought the Lakers a cornerstone talent in Doncic as they prepare for life after LeBron James, who turns 40 this year. In exchange, Dallas receives defensive superstar Anthony Davis — a trade that put Mavericks GM Nico Harrison in a title daze.
“I say defense wins championships,” Harrison told ESPN. “Bringing Davis on board gives us that immediate and long-term advantage we need to win.”
In the meantime the Kings traded their franchise star, De’Aaron Fox, to the Spurs. The Kings send the two-time All-Star Zach LaVine to Sacramento along with the French prospect Sidy Cissoko from the Chicago Bulls. Fox — who is averaging 25.0 points per game this season, and is a teammate of rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama — will land in San Antonio. Wembanyama is currently averaging 24.6 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.0 blocks, so Fox could make a world of difference, should the Spurs pursue him.
The multi-team trade also includes Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins and Tre Jones going to the Bulls, and the Spurs receiving Jordan McLaughlin.
And with two franchise-altering deals in a single weekend, the balance of power has shifted mightily, forcing fans to sit up and pay attention.
