Luka Dončić’s Group Text to Mavericks After Anthony Davis, Lakers Trade Revealed

Zach BacharContributor IFebruary 2, 2025

Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images

Luka Dončić had a simple message to his former Dallas Mavericks teammates in their group chat after he was shockingly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

Mavericks forward Naji Marshall revealed that Dončić texted his teammates and said “thanks for everything” following the swap, via Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News.

“I was surprised like everyone else,” Marshall said, per Curtis. “Very good dude. Good teammate. I look forward to playing him again.”

In a blockbuster three-team deal, Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris headed to the Lakers while Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick were sent to the Mavericks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The Utah Jazz also received Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks in the trade.

The decision to move on from Dončić was abrupt, as he developed into one of the league’s top players during his seven seasons with the organization. NBA insider Marc Stein noted that the 25-year-old did not request to be traded.

Charania reported that Dončić, Davis and Lakers superstar LeBron James all had no idea that the trade was occurring.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportLuka is “still stunned” about the trade, per @ShamsCharania

The deal was ‘materialized in the shadows’ pic.twitter.com/JqaP64G2oM

Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison revealed that he reached out to Dončić with a text message as well as a phone call, but he didn’t receive an answer.

“My guess is he probably doesn’t want to talk to me,” Harrison said, per Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News.

The Mavericks initiated trade talks with the Lakers, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. Dallas was reportedly concerned about offering Dončić a five-year, $345 million supermax contract during the offseason.

“We really feel like we got ahead of what was going to be a tumultuous summer, him being eligible for the supermax and also a year away from him being able to opt out of any contract,” Harrison said, via MacMahon.

In 22 starts this season, Dončić has averaged 28.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He’s also dished out 7.8 assists on a nightly basis, shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from three-point territory.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportLUKA MAGIC TO END THE HALF IN TORONTO 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/slVWpBZScF

He already ranked No. 6 on the Mavericks’ all-time scoring list as well as No. 4 on the team’s all-time rebounding leaderboard.

After an impressive start to his career in Dallas that included a 2024 NBA Finals appearance, Dončić is now headed to Los Angeles.