A surprise unfolded early Sunday morning in the NBA, with two of the league’s top players changing teams.

The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round draft pick. The Utah Jazz are also a part of this trade deal.

According to ESPN, the Jazz will receive Jalen Hood-Schifino from the Lakers, along with second-round picks in 2025 from both the Clippers and Mavericks to assist with completing the trade.

This blockbuster exchange has been confirmed by multiple sources, first reported just after midnight ET.

Doncic, 25, is recognized as a five-time All-Star and first-team All-NBA player, currently in his seventh season with the Mavericks. He was the NBA scoring champion last year and was pivotal in leading the Mavericks to the Finals, where they ultimately lost to the Boston Celtics.

Davis, 31, is a ten-time All-Star and four-time first-team All-NBA player, and he has been with the Lakers for six seasons, contributing to their championship win in 2020.

Reports indicate that Dallas initiated discussions with Los Angeles regarding a potential trade involving Doncic due to concerns about his financial future with the organization, along with worries about his health and fitness.

Doncic will team up with future Hall of Famer and all-time NBA scoring leader LeBron James, now in his 22nd season at age 40. James learned about the trade after a triple-double performance against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Davis will join Kyrie Irving, another All-Star who won a championship with James in 2016.

Currently, the Lakers are fifth in the Western Conference with a record of 28-19, while the Mavericks sit at eighth with a record of 26-23. Doncic has missed 27 games this season due to a calf strain and has not played since December 25, whereas Davis has missed four games.

The Mavericks and Lakers are set to meet for their first game post-trade on February 25 in Los Angeles, with a follow-up match scheduled for April 9 in Dallas.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that Lakers’ coach JJ Redick and Doncic were teammates during the 2020-21 season.

This is an evolving story.