Luka Doncic to Lakers Stuns Mavericks Nation

Merlin sees the blockbuster that still stuns the league: Dallas shipped Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Lakers in a three-team deal that landed Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first round pick for the Mavericks. GM Nico Harrison kept repeating, "I believe that defense wins championships," and sources cited conditioning concerns with Dončić. Luka is putting up 33.7 points in Los Angeles while Davis has battled injuries, and Dallas used a lucky No. 1 pick on Cooper Flagg but fired Harrison amid an 11th place mark. Merlin senses a clash of philosophies. The deal is a wager on defense and culture over a generational scorer. Dončić called leaving "really hard moments" and said he is excited to play for "the greatest club in the world." If Davis gets healthy and the Lakers hold together, the trade looks brilliant. If not, both teams face long seasons.