NBA: Dallas star point guard Luka Doncic traded to Lakers for Anthony Davis

Les deux joueurs vont échanger leurs maillots. MAXPPP – ADAM DAVIS

Un échange majeur a eu lieu entre deux superstars de la Ligue américaine de basket, dans la nuit du samedi 1er au dimanche 2 février. 

Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers overnight from Saturday to Sunday for center Anthony Davis, several American media outlets report. The 25-year-old Slovenian must therefore play alongside LeBron James under the colors of the Californian franchise while Davis, 31, must make the opposite journey to join Kyrie Irving in Texas, as part of a thunderous exchange between two of the current biggest stars in the NBA.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

The Lakers thus seem to secure the future with a possible heir to LeBron James (40 years old), who led Dallas to the NBA finals last year and who has already played in the All Star Game five times. For their part, the Mavericks are strengthening their defense to better aim for the title. “I think it's the defense that wins a championship” , declared on ESPN the general manager of the Texan franchise Nico Harrison. “I think we're going to have a better chance (of winning the NBA title) with one of the best centers and just one of the best defensive-minded players in the NBA. We're built to win now and in the future,” he added.

Both players are currently injured

The trade between the giants was announced shortly after the Lakers – without Davis due to an abdominal injury – won 128-112 in New York. Doncic, for his part, has not played since Christmas due to a calf injury. Signed by Atlanta during the 2018 draft, he immediately joined Dallas, for whom he averaged 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game this season.

Davis joined the Lakers in 2019, winning the NBA title in 2020. He has been selected to the All-Star Game nine times and is averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game since the start of the season.