Several teams improved. Many even added impact players to their already strong rotations. As the 2025 NBA trade deadline passes, however, those around the NBA are coming to terms with an unavoidable truth: No team did quite as well for themselves as the Los Angeles Lakers.
While many added high-level talent, only one managed to bring in one of the very best players on the planet—a conversation that begins and ends all debates to the contrary.
Between the end of December and the trade deadline, Los Angeles added a superstar, a rising star, and a starting-caliber 3-and-D wing. That began when it brought in Dorian Finney-Smith at the price of D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round draft picks.
It continued when Los Angeles turned the NBA on its head, swapping Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a single first-round draft pick for Luka Doncic.
With a void left down low by Davis' departure, the Lakers shockingly acquired Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2030 pick swap, and a 2031 first-round draft pick. They also added Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris, and Shake Milton via the aforementioned trades.
In just over a month, the Lakers added three starting-caliber players, another three reserves, and the reigning scoring champion to their roster—a haul to which no one can compare.
Lakers completely rebuilt their future in just over a month
The biggest addition that any team made this season was the Lakers acquiring Doncic. There's truly no comparison, as the 25-year-old is already a five-time All-NBA First Team honoree with a scoring title and an NBA Finals appearance as a go-to player.
Doncic is widely regarded as one of the very best players on the planet, and will now slot seamlessly into the Lakers' plans as their new franchise player.
Williams, meanwhile, is one of the fastest-rising stars the Association has to offer. He's averaging 18.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.9 offensive boards, 2.7 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game since Dec. 30, and should have every opportunity to sustain that production alongside Doncic.
Boasting a colossal 7'6.5" wingspan and borderline elite production, the Lakers landed a franchise player along the perimeter and one of the best possible Davis replacements in a matter of days.
Finney-Smith isn't the star that Doncic is or Williams could become, but he's one of the best 3-and-D players in the NBA. He also played alongside Doncic with the Dallas Mavericks, thus meaning Los Angeles is bringing in a new franchise player with a familiar face to ease the transition.
In terms of how Finney-Smith is already fitting in with the purple and gold, the Lakers are outscoring opponents by 14.4 points per 100 possessions when he's on the court.
In a perfect world, one or all of Kleber, Milton, and Morris will provide quality contributions as the season progresses. Even if that doesn't transpire, however, the Lakers have revamped their short-term and long-term outlook in a matter of a month and some change.
Many teams did well for themselves at the trade deadline, but no franchise pulled off a haul quite as impressive as what the Lakers achieved.