The Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers stunned all corners of the sporting world when they agreed to a trade that would send superstar guard Luka Doncic to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis, the headline pieces in a three-team trade that also included the Utah Jazz. Doncic, widely regarded as one of the three best basketball players on the planet, was traded during his age-25 season and already boasts a resume that includes five first-team All-NBA appearances — and he is getting closer to his maiden championship, having led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2023/24.

The Mavs have been clear on their motives for trading Doncic, who has missed much of the season through injury but has continued to dominate when healthy. Dallas was concerned about Doncic’s conditioning and long-term durability, and general manager Nico Harrison wanted to cultivate a more-defensive identity by acquiring Davis, whom Harrison has known since his days as a Nike executive. The consensus around this trade is that Dallas screwed up royally, while Los Angeles stumbled into a new championship window with Doncic.

Stephen A. predicts success for Luka and the Lakers…but not yet

Speaking on SportsCenter, Stephen A. Smith — now the undisputed face of ESPN — criticized the Lakers for prompting a roster balance crisis by moving Davis. Yes, getting Doncic is nice and all, but Los Angeles is still a couple frontcourt pieces away from true championship contention, according to Smith.

“By this move happening, the Lakers have no rim protector. Luka, nor LeBron James could do that,” Smith said on ESPN. “So, the season, in a lot of people’s eyes, is a wash for the Los Angeles Lakers. It appears they’ve said to LeBron James, ‘I’m sorry, maybe another time. But we are certainly not thinking about a championship this year when we have nothing on our front court.'”

James, 40, was reportedly shocked by the Lakers’ move for Doncic — which cost him a championship-caliber running mate in Davis. The NBA‘s all-time leading scorer has been after a fifth championship ring before he retires — and Doncic, an elite playmaker and scorer himself, is not viewed as an ideal fit next to “the King“.

However, if that take harshed Lakers fans’ vibe, Smith course-corrected for them by saying that Los Angeles is now set up for a bright future whenever James walks away. As soon as 2026, Lakers fans could be preparing for a championship parade and readying themselves to watch an 18th banner be raised to the rafters at Crypto.com Arena.

“You’re looking at the Lakers for next year and beyond. This is a move for the future,” Smith said. “Every move they make from now on is going to be to build the team around Luka Doncic because you now have a global star who is going to be box office.”