In a stunning trade kept secret until the last moment, Luka Doncic is heading to the Los Angeles Lakers, while Anthony Davis joins the Dallas Mavericks in a move that has shocked the NBA. The deal, approved Sunday morning, also involves Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris moving to the Lakers, while Max Christie joins the Mavericks. The Utah Jazz received Jalen Hood-Schifino and second-round picks from both teams.

Doncic, who led Dallas to the NBA Finals last season, admitted in a farewell message that he never expected to leave. “I thought I’d spend my career here, and I wanted so badly to bring you a championship,” he wrote. His departure also means he is no longer eligible for the five-year, $345 million supermax extension he could have signed this summer, limiting his deal with the Lakers to a five-year, $230 million maximum. His father, Sasa Doncic, publicly criticized the trade, saying Luka deserved better.

The Mavericks made the move with long-term success in mind, believing Davis’ defensive dominance provides the foundation for a championship team. General manager Nico Harrison acknowledged the risk but felt acting now was better than waiting. “He was going to be able to make his own decision soon, and we had to take all that into consideration,” Harrison said. Meanwhile, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka called Doncic a “one-of-a-kind superstar” who will lead the franchise for years. The trade pairs him with LeBron James in Los Angeles, while Davis joins Kyrie Irving in Dallas, setting up two powerful new duos in the Western Conference.

Players and analysts around the league reacted with shock. Suns star Devin Booker initially thought it was a mistake, and Kevin Durant called it “insane.” Mavericks fans protested the trade outside the team’s arena, furious over losing a generational talent for a veteran player with an injury history. Despite the controversy, both teams are confident in their new direction. The Lakers play the Clippers on Tuesday, while the Mavericks return to action against Cleveland. Neither Doncic nor Davis has a set timeline for their debut with their new teams.