Opinions on the blockbuster trade between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers — the one that swapped Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis — are all over the map. Which NBA franchise improved its roster enough to compete for a world championship?
Dončić may be the more exciting draw, with fans in Los Angeles envisioning a return of the Showtime Lakers. That is certainly one possible outcome. Others see an under-appreciated talent in Davis who just went to a spot that can benefit from his hustle on both ends of the floor.
NBA Analyst Skip Bayless Thinks Dallas Mavericks Are Title Contenders
For bookkeeping purposes, here are the full terms of the three-team trade:
- The Lakers received Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris from the Mavericks; Dallas acquired Davis, Max Christie, and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick.
- The Jazz received Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Los Angeles Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick, and the Mavericks’ 2025 second-round selection.
Skip Bayless is one of the loudest talkers in the sports business. He never sugarcoats his opinions, relishing the chance to argue a point while spewing the hottest of hot takes whenever he can.
So, when news of the Lakers-Mavericks blockbuster trade hit his ears, Bayless jumped on social media and immediately declared a winner — the Mavericks.
Bayless believes Dallas turned themselves into instant championship contenders thanks to the arrival of Davis, a 10-time all-star and five-time NBA All-Defense Team member.
Bayless said: “The Lakers now belong to Luka Dončić for the long haul. But short haul, this year, the Dallas Mavericks went for win it all now. Win now. Somebody in Dallas was all-in right now, and it’s not the owner of the football team in Dallas, as you well know.”
AD is in BETTER spot to win now with Kyrie than he was with LeBron pic.twitter.com/8dgYbsbixv
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 2, 2025
The last line was a not-so-subtle shot at Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. There is no love lost there.
Bayless went on to detail why Davis’ fit in Dallas is a perfect one.
“Defense wins championships, and they just went out and got a first-team All-Defense player,” Bayless said. “You put him in the middle, with Kyrie [Irving] doing Kyrie things, and Klay [Thompson] making 40% of this threes, and PJ [Washington] and [Daniel] Gafford and [Spencer] Dinwiddie coming off the bench to spark … Quentin Grimes coming off the bench to explode here and there on cue.
“I think you have a real, live basketball team. The one in LA will be must-see TV. Can’t take your eyes off them. I just think they’re going nowhere slowly now for the rest of the year in LA. And I find that very sad for LeBron bleeping James.”
Luka Dončić Reacts To Joining the Los Angeles Lakers
Dončić is still recovering from a strained calf muscle, which has kept him out of the lineup since Christmas Day. The timeline to return has been fluid, with longtime NBA writer Marc Stein reporting he could make his Lakers’ debut on Feb. 8.
Grateful for this amazing opportunity. Basketball means everything to me, and no matter where I play the game, I’ll do so with the same joy, passion and goal – to win championships. https://t.co/psfgI5o9Pn
— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) February 2, 2025
Meanwhile, the five-time all-star took to social media to share his excitement over the trade. He’ll wear his customary No. 77. Oh, and Dončić is heading to Hollywood to win a championship.
“Grateful for this amazing opportunity,” Dončić wrote. “Basketball means everything to me, and no matter where I play the game, I’ll do so with the same joy, passion and goal — to win championships.”
