Luka Doncic Trade to Lakers Remade NBA

One year after Dallas sent Luka Dončić to Los Angeles, the league is reshaped. The Mavs tumbled into the lottery, used the pick on Cooper Flagg, and GM Nico Harrison was shown the door after parroting "defense wins championships" to defend the swap. The Lakers suddenly have a younger franchise cornerstone, playoff matchups shifted, injuries and subsequent moves altered title paths, and several teams’ timelines bent under the weight of one seismic trade. Merlin sees the trade as a single stone that toppled many dominos. If Dallas had kept Luka they likely remain a contender; if Los Angeles had not landed him the franchise might still be leaning on aging stars. Luka delivers long term hope to L.A., but the future will hinge on health and shrewd roster building.