As most on the East Coast were preparing to go to sleep, the Los Angeles Lakers were busy transforming their identity for years to come. Tasked with complementing Anthony Davis with the ideal talent at center, the Lakers instead opted to move their franchise player.
In one of the most shocking deals in NBA history, Los Angeles sent Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round draft pick to the Dallas Mavericks as part of a three-team deal for Luka Doncic.
The instant response to acquiring Doncic is that the Lakers have found their new franchise player. He's a five-time All-NBA First Team honoree at just 25 years of age, and is less than a year removed from leading the Mavericks to the NBA Finals.
Doncic also won the scoring title in 2023-24 and has averaged 30.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.2 three-point field goals made per game since 2019-20.
Considering Doncic has done all of this before entering his prime, the Lakers have every reason to be proud of this transaction. There are conversations that need to be had, including one about the questionable decision to not inform LeBron James of the trade, but the upside is undeniable.
Not only will Doncic bring immediate superstar value to a team that's hoping to contend, but he'll enable the Lakers to continue to appeal to free agents once James retires.
Luka Doncic makes Lakers a free agency destination again
One of the primary reasons Los Angeles has been stuck in basketball limbo is the impending sense of finality. James is 40, Davis is 31, and there's reason to believe that the window for the Lakers to appeal to big-name players had at least begun to close because of their respective ages.
Perhaps a veteran looking for one last chance at a ring would've signed, but appealing to a prime-age star entering unrestricted free agency would've been difficult.
With Doncic in the mix, however, the Lakers are back in the discussion for any star who enters free agency from this point forward. Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but the track record that the 25-year-old brings to the table is undeniable.
Doncic led Dallas to the Western Conference Finals alongside Jalen Brunson and guided the Mavericks to the NBA Finals with Kyrie Irving.
With this in mind, a fellow All-Star would be remiss to not at least consider playing with Doncic as he approaches his prime. He's already one of the most accomplished players of his generation, putting together a Hall of Fame résumé at 25 years of age.
Some have questioned if his ball-dominant tendencies can translate to a championship, but one NBA Finals and two Conference Finals later, he's come close to eliminating all doubt.
Furthermore, Lakers head coach JJ Redick has done a phenomenal job of connecting with the modern generation of athletes. He's convinced Los Angeles to buy in on both ends of the floor and could be strengthening the purple and gold's reputation around the NBA in the process.
Only time will tell what the future will hold, but by trading for Doncic, the Lakers have officially answered the question of how they'll appeal to free agents one James retires.