Hoodwinked, bamboozled, led astray

The GIST: Jaws dropped across the NBA late Saturday night as news of a stunning blockbuster trade — one that’s sending five-time All-NBA first-teamer Luka Dončić to the LA Lakers and ten-time All-Star Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks — broke while most hoops fans were snug in their beds. That’s right, it’s 1000% real.

The details: In addition to LA and Dallas, the three-team stunner also involves the Utah Jazz. The Mavs will move the face of their franchise in Dončić, as well as Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, to the Lakers while Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick head to Dallas. The Jazz, meanwhile, picked up LA’s Jalen Hood-Schifino and a pair of 2025 second-round picks.

The implications: At first (and second) glance, the deal makes little sense for the Mavs. There were concerns about Dončić’s conditioning, but trading a generational hooper who just led your squad to the NBA Finals last season while averaging nearly a triple-double is decidedly not it.

• Meanwhile, the Lakers are making moves for the post–LeBron James era. The 40-year-old’s time in the league will eventually come to a close, and now LA has a 25-year-old superstar to carry the Purple and Gold legacy whenever James decides to hang ’em up.

Zooming out: As per NBA insider Shams Charania, the trade “materialized in the shadows” with neither Dončić nor Davis knowing the deal was in the works. Neither superstar asked for a trade while everyone — from other teams’ front offices to diehard fans — presumed Dončić, a perennial MVP candidate, was untouchable in the trade market. At least someone’s keeping their word.

• With Thursday’s trade deadline looming, it’s evident that though top-tier players are more empowered than ever, a double standard remains in the NBA — one where general managers have the final say and can move anyone, even superstars, on a whim.

The GIST: The hardwood drama doesn’t end with the NBA — WNBA shakeups continue to shock during the league’s ongoing free agency shenanigans. Let’s dive into the latest W-altering headlines from over the weekend.

🔁 Connecticut Sun overhaul roster: The Sun have officially waved goodbye to all five starters from their 2024 playoff run, ushering in a new era for the original WNBA franchise.

• After seeing cornerstone Alyssa Thomas exit (among others), last season’s Most Improved Player DiJonai Carrington was traded to the Dallas Wings on Saturday, while six-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner (Thomas’ fiancée) will sign a one-year deal with the Indiana Fever.

• But that’s not all: Eight-time All-Star Tina Charles is officially returning to the Sun, the franchise that drafted her No. 1 overall in 2010, on a one-year contract. Talk about full circle.

🤝 Phoenix Mercury land top free agent Satou Sabally: The new-look Mercury added another star to their roster yesterday, picking up Sabally from the Wings as part of a record-setting four-team trade. Sabally now joins the aforementioned Thomas in Phoenix, who lost franchise legend Brittney Griner to the Atlanta Dream.

• However, one major question still remains for the Mercury this offseason: Will 20-season vet Diana Taurasi return for one more spin or will she retire before May’s tip-off? Stay tuned.

🕺 Other major moves: 2016 MVP Nneka Ogwumike is sticking around in Seattle, signing a new one-year deal with the Storm, while Canadian Kia Nurse is joining the Chicago Sky from the LA Sparks.

• Otherwise, the unsigned free agent list is shrinking by the day but still includes notable players like NY Liberty leader Breanna Stewart and Sky powerhouse Chennedy Carter. It’s far from over.

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