Photo: @lukadoncic on Instagram
BY: RILEY PENDLETON, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Early February is one of the most hectic times of the season in the NBA. With the trade deadline just days away, let’s look back at what has been one of the most influential trade deadlines in NBA history.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Luka Doncic. In a blockbuster trade that is sure to shake up the Western Conference for years to come, the Lakers received Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris from the Mavericks, who received Anthony Davis, Max Christie and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick. The Utah Jazz received Jalen Hood-Schifino for roster limit purposes.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison told ESPN, being part of his motivation to make this trade. The rest came from Doncic’s conditioning, as he was rumored to have gotten up to 270 pounds. Dallas believes that pairing Davis with an already young core is sure to put them in win-now mode.
To the Lakers franchise and fans, buy a lottery ticket. Los Angeles was able to acquire a 25-year-old top-five player in the league for a 31-year-old whose knees have seen better days. Should Lebron James retire next year, the Lakers put themselves in a great spot, as they got their guy for the future.
Another big move was made in the Western Conference, as in yet another three-team trade, the Sacramento Kings sent De’Aaron Fox to the Spurs. They received Zach Lavine and three first-round picks from the Chicago Bulls, who received Zach Collins, Tre Jones and Kevin Huerter.
A trade that pairs Victor Wembanyama and Fox is sure to bring that one-two-punch that Spurs fans haven’t seen since Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. Along with young core pieces like Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle, the Spurs’ attempt to push for a playoff spot could be worth paying attention to.
The Bulls were finally able to move on from Zach Lavine’s contract, allowing the high-flyer to come to Sacramento and help elevate what’s been a poor Kings offense. Lavine will also reunite with his former teammate Demar DeRozan. Although some Kings fans may still be mourning the loss of De’Aaron Fox, they do have something very special in Lavine.
Down in Miami, the Jimmy Butler saga is over. After being suspended twice within a month, Butler made it clear that he wanted to be traded immediately and with the trade deadline winding down, the Miami Heat moved the 35-year-old to Golden State in a multi-team trade.
The trade saw the Heat receive Andrew Wiggins, P.J. Tucker, Kyle Anderson and a protected first-round pick. The Detroit Pistons received Warriors’ forward Lindy Waters III and Heat’s shooting guard Josh Richardson. The Utah Jazz also played part in the trade as they received guard Dennis Schroeder.
In what has been one of the craziest NBA trade deadlines in recent history, we’ve seen some of the biggest names in the league get moved. As the Western Conference bulks up, it is sure to be ultra-competitive when it comes to playoff time.
Author’s Note: Article was last updated on Feb. 5
