The Los Angeles Lakers have won the Luka Doncic trade from the moment the Mavericks foolishly said yes, but things look even more lopsided after Anthony Davis only played 20 games this season. Things got so bad that Dallas traded him to the Wizards midseason. Now, Washington will quickly find out about AD’s biggest woes.
Luka looked like the best player on the planet during a dominant March. The Lakers went 15-2 and had fans thinking they were a serious title threat. Doncic averaged 37.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.3 steals per game to push his way into the MVP conversation. It was truly incredible to watch and made his hamstring injury an absolute nightmare.
The Lakers know they have a shot with Luka. The same wouldn’t be said if AD was still in LA. The Mavericks just dumped Davis on the rebuilding Wizards for a minuscule return. The 33-year-old’s injury history is a problem that is only getting worse.
Lakers continue to win Luka Doncic trade as Anthony Davis only played 20 games
Davis played in the Mavs first five games before a calf injury cost him 14 straight. He got back on the floor for 15 of the next 19. Unfortunately, that was the end of his year. Davis injured his hand on Jan. 8 against the Jazz and never returned. The Wizards tanked down the stretch and had no incentive to bring him back. Still, AD played in just 20 of his 51 games in Dallas.
Davis has played more than 56 games in a season just twice in the last eight years. The only time he played over 65 was in 2024. The Lakers know all about his injury woes, but 20 was a new career low. Los Angeles fans likely remember his previous worst of 36 in the shortened 2021 season.
Luka was on his way to making first-team All-NBA before the hamstring injury left him on 64 games. The Lakers superstar is appealing after he missed two contests to see the birth of his daughter. Either way, Doncic was one of the four best players in the world this season.
Even in the 20 games Davis played, his numbers were down. His 20.4 points per game were the big man’s lowest since his rookie season in 2013. AD also produced his second-fewest steals and blocks. Fans know he is one of the best defenders in the world, but a decline came with the injuries this year.
The Lakers are crushing this trade. Fans still can’t believe it only cost Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round draft pick to land Luka. Usually, one of the best players in the world is acquired for a massive haul. The Mavs got the most production out of Christie, and the 2029 first is likely to be near the end of the round. Dealing Doncic for 29 games of AD, a draft pick in the 20s, and Christie is a nightmare.
The Los Angeles Lakers face a crucial offseason. They need to build the roster around Luka Doncic if they want to be a serious title threat for years to come. Their success does not take away from this lopsided trade. The Mavs made arguably the worst move in NBA history. All the Lakers can do is thank them. It is even worse now that AD is in Washington and can’t stay healthy. LA crushed this one.