In a blockbuster move that sent shock waves across the sports world late Saturday night, the Dallas Mavericks traded perennial All-Star guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick.

The Lakers also acquired forwards Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in the deal.

“I believe that defense wins championships,” Dallas general manager Nico Harrison told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon in explaining the motivation to trade Doncic for Davis. “I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future.”

According to multiple reports, the Mavs didn’t shop Doncic around to other teams. Instead, they targeted the 31-year-old Davis as the type of player they wanted to build around moving forward.

Reports indicate that Dallas had grown tired of Doncic’s conditioning issues that have led to injuries through the years. He was also a liability on the defensive end at times. Furthermore, Kyrie Irving will now have the ball in his hands much more moving forward.

As for the Lakers’ motivation to make this deal, they get a generational talent that’s only 25 years old and probably hasn’t even hit his prime yet. They obviously lose one of the NBA’s premier rim protectors in Davis, but they didn’t have to mortgage their future by giving up draft capital galore. L.A. only gives up one first-round pick in this trade, and it’s not until 2029.

In the near future, L.A. general manager Rob Pelinka now has several days to scour the trade market in search of a big man who can help the Lakers defensively.

Dallas traded the rights to Trae Young and a 2019 first-round pick to Atlanta for Doncic on the night of the 2018 NBA Draft. He was named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2019 when the Slovenian averaged 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

Doncic is a five-time All-Star who has been selected to the All-NBA First Team five years in a row. He led the NBA in scoring last season by averaging 33.9 points per game.

Doncic led the Mavs to the NBA Finals for the third time in franchise history last year. In 22 postseason games, he averaged 28.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.9 SPG.

In 422 career regular-season games, Doncic has averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.2 SPG. He’s played in 50 career postseason contests, averaging 30.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.7 SPG.

Doncic has been sidelined with a strained calf since sustaining the injury on Christmas Day. He’s played in only 22 games this year, averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.0 SPG. Doncic has reportedly been targeting a return to the court at some point before the All-Star break later this month.

Davis is a 10-time All-Star selection who helped the Lakers win the 2020 NBA championship in his first season with the organization. During that 2020 postseason run to the title, Davis averaged 27.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 blocked shots and 1.2 SPG in 21 playoff games.

Davis has been selected to the All-NBA First Team four times and was named to the All-NBA Second Team last year. He’s led The Association in blocked shots three times and is a three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team pick.

The 6-foot-10 Davis has played in 42 games this season, averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 blocked shots and 1.3 SPG. He was back in L.A. getting treatment for an abdominal strain when the Lakers beat the Knicks 128-112 as 11-point road underdogs on Saturday.

Davis is a 13-year veteran who spent his first seven seasons with New Orleans. He’s played in 778 career regular-season games, averaging 24.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.3 blocked shots and 1.3 SPG.

In 60 career postseason contests, Davis has averaged 26.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.2 blocked shots and 1.3 SPG.

Before the trade, the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas had the Lakers with 50/1 odds to win this year’s NBA Finals. But as of early Sunday afternoon, the Westgate had L.A.’s odds at 20/1.

The Westgate had Dallas with 20/1 future odds before the deal, but it now has the Mavs at 30/1.

The Lakers will play host to Dallas on Feb. 25. FanDuel has the Lakers listed as 4.5-point home favorites (at a -112 price). The Mavs are +168 on the money line.