What Just Happened. #Lakers #Mavericks #Luka #AD

The LA Lakers did the unthinkable. And they somehow managed to pull it off without any of the principles knowing it was about to go down. Luka Doncic has been traded to the LA Lakers for Anthony Davis. Wait what?

Per Dave McMenamin, LeBron found out about this while he was AT DINNER. It is being said that the Mavs called the Lakers to gauge interest and the Lakers brass huddled to see if this was something to consider. They did not consult LeBron or AD on it. As far as the Mavs go, per Brian Windhorst on @ESPN this morning, the Mavs had grown weary of Luka's perpetual issues with conditioning, and this combined with his looming potential max contract gave them the onus to move him. Davis apparently sent out a text congratulating the Lakers for how they were playing without him.

There are multiple layers on this blockbuster deal. 1-The Lakers are planning ahead. LeBron is 40 (See his acknowledgment at MSG last night when he growled at those sitting courtside, "This is 40"). He can't go forever, and Luka, at 25, is the future face of Laker nation. 2-The Lakers, at 25-19, sit 5th in the Western Conference and squarely in the mix as a playoff threat. They are peaking at the moment, having won 8 of 10, and coming of a decisive win last night taking down one of the NBA's hotter teams in the Knicks in NYC. They have massively upgraded their ability to put points up and, if nothing else, will force teams to score with them. 3-The risk for the Lakers is giving up likely the best rim protector in the league in Anthony Davis. Both Davis and Luka are injury prone, so that aspect is essentially a wash. Luka is currently sidelined with a calf issue and AD is dealing with an abdominal strain. Both should be a full go after the All-Star break in two weeks.

There is just one more scenario that could be veeerrrry interesting...could the Lakers even broach the idea of trading for Jimmy Butler? Would they? Let's just say in some seriously bizarre alternate universe, that happens. Here is what a potential rotation would look like:

STARTING: PG Reaves SG Doncic SF Butler PF James C Hayes.. Knecht and Hachimura off the bench followed by Milton and Vincent.

Of course, any trade for Butler would likely include some of the names above. But the starting 5 would be formidable.

However it all plays out, we are in for a wild ride. The Thunder and Rockets are officially on notice.