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The Utah Jazz were unaware that Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis were involved in the blockbuster Los Angeles Lakers-Dallas Mavericks trade until about an hour before it was finalized, according to a report from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Tim MacMahon. League sources revealed that while the Jazz organization learned of the full scope roughly an hour before completion, Jazz president Danny Ainge was only informed about 30 minutes prior that the Lakers were acquiring Doncic as their new franchise cornerstone.
The Lakers orchestrated the shocking trade late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, acquiring Doncic along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in exchange for Davis, Max Christie, and their 2029 first-round pick. The Jazz were included in the trade but initially operated under the assumption that their role was limited to a smaller transaction.
Jazz blindsided by Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade as Lakers, Mavericks kept negotiations secret
Utah ultimately received Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Los Angeles Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick, and the Mavericks’ 2025 second-round selection. However, the Jazz’s involvement was overshadowed by the magnitude of the main deal, which became historic as the first midseason trade to feature two reigning All-NBA players being swapped.
The revelation that Ainge and the Jazz front office were unaware of the full scope of the trade underscores how confidential the negotiations between the Lakers and Mavericks remained. The secrecy ensured that both teams could finalize the move without external interference before the deal was made public.
Doncic’s move to the Lakers shifts the balance of power in the Western Conference, while the Mavericks now pair Davis with Kyrie Irving in a bid to remain contenders. The Jazz, though not a central part of the trade’s headline deal, still managed to add future assets as they continue their rebuild.
The unexpected nature of the trade’s final details has sparked further discussions around the league, with executives and analysts processing the implications of one of the most surprising midseason transactions in NBA history.
