Luka Doncic's shocking trade to Lakers comes with positive financial ramifications for Mavericks

Well, there's one silver lining to trade one of the brightest young stars in the NBA.

Nov 22, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks made one of the most shocking trades in NBA history on Saturday night/Sunday morning, sending Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a three-team swap that brought back Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 Lakers first-round pick. This blockbuster trade changes the timelines and cap sheets for all sides, but let's take a look at how the Mavericks specifically are impacted.

Anthony Davis decided to waive his trade bonus, which leaves the Mavericks $628k below the luxury tax line, per ESPN's Bobby Marks. They were $5.1 million over the luxury tax before the trade. The biggest ramification is they don't have to give Doncic the five-year, $345 million supermax extension he would've been handed this offseason. To most people, that's a no-brainer decision, as Doncic just took the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season. But Dallas decided otherwise.

Davis signed a three-year, $175.37 million contract extension in 2023, which goes into effect next season for $54.1 million. The final year of that contract, a player option in 2027-28, is worth $62.79 million. So, while it saves the Mavericks money now, it will cost them nearly $8 million more next season, and we'll see how Doncic's extension is set up when he signs it with the Lakers, although he's now no longer eligible to sign that supermax deal, which is designed to keep superstars with their teams.

READ MORE: BREAKING: Luka Doncic shockingly traded to the Lakers for Anthony Davis

A Short-Sighted Move by the Mavericks

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) dunks the ball past Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

If the Mavericks were THAT worried about Luka Doncic's long-term availability, trading him for Anthony Davis makes sense on NBA 2K25 with the injuries turned off, and that's about it. Davis has played in more than 65 games, the NBA's new requirement for games played to be eligible for postseason awards, just once in the last seven seasons. He's currently dealing with an abdomen injury, only playing ten minutes against the 76ers on January 28th, and missing the Lakers' last two games against the Wizards and Knicks.

Max Christie is a young, decent shooter who has started over half of the Lakers' games this season and gives the Mavs some more depth, but he'll be due for a contract extension soon, too. This is truly one of the most shocking trades ever.

READ MORE: Luka Doncic 'stunned' over Mavericks trading him to LA Lakers

Stick with MavericksGameday for more FREE coverage of the Dallas Mavericks throughout the 2024-25 Season

Follow MavericksGameday on Twitter and Austin Veazey on Twitter

More Dallas Mavericks News

• Mavericks stars Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic not selected to 2025 NBA All-Star Game

• Mavericks' concern about Luka Doncic's conditioning led to Lakers trade

• Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki shocked by Luka Doncic's blockbuster trade to the Lakers

• Here's how LeBron James learned Luka Doncic was being traded to LA Lakers