In a shocking midseason blockbuster trade, the Los Angeles Lakers sent their superstar forward, Anthony Davis, to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic.
While it’s unlikely Davis will ever return to Los Angeles, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz thinks the Lakers could trade their 40-year-old stud to the Mavericks this summer, allowing Davis to reunite with his old buddy.
“Financially, this trade can work for Dallas without having to give up any of their core players,” Swartz wrote Sunday. “The Mavs could send a package of Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, and Caleb Martin to make the money work and could offer the Lakers an unprotected 2029 first-round pick back as a sweetener (for LeBron James).
“The Lakers could really use this influx of frontcourt talent to complement Doncic and Austin Reaves. Like with the Golden State Warriors, age could be an issue here. Injuries may continue to plague (Kyrie) Irving and Davis. What makes Dallas a more desirable spot for James is the addition of (Cooper) Flagg, who raises this team's ceiling immensely.”
“James has stated on his Mind the Game podcast what a great situation Flagg is going into with veterans all around and getting to play for Jason Kidd. Now, James could join this group and play for his former assistant coach with the Lakers as well.”
“This would be a wild turn of events from just a few months ago, but James teaming up with Davis and Irving again, along with Thompson and Flagg, actually makes a lot of sense.”
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James and Davis were star-studded teammates in Los Angeles for nearly six seasons.
While it feels like an eternity ago, the two future Hall of Famers won a championship together in 2020, defeating the Miami Heat in the bubble.
Could James and Davis have won another title alongside one another if the Lakers had kept their roster intact? With Davis’ extensive injury, it wouldn’t have been easy.
When a franchise’s second most valuable player suffers lower body setback after lower body setback, their chances of reaching the promised land and prevailing won’t be favorable.
The Lakers comprehended this and moved on from the Kentucky product after 5.5 seasons.
Reuniting with Davis on the Mavericks would allow James to finish his career with a teammate he’s built a unique bond with over time.
It would also allow him to remain in a competitive environment (the Mavericks reached the Finals in 2024) before he officially retires from the NBA, making this trade idea moderately realistic.
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