Feb 9, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Kareem Abudl-Jabbar, former Los Angeles Laker and NBA Hall of Famer, answers questions during a press conference prior to the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

NBA Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Reacts To Lakers-Mavs Trade

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Feb 7, 2025 3:39 AM ET

Last weekend, the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off one of the biggest trades in NBA history when they landed Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks.

While they had to give up Anthony Davis, Doncic is a 25-year-old superstar who has yet to hit his prime.

Via Lakers.com on Sunday: "The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired five-time First Team All-NBA guard Luka Dončić, forward/center Maxi Kleber and forward/center Markieff Morris from the Dallas Mavericks in a three-team trade. In return, the Lakers sent forward Anthony Davis, guard Max Christie and a future first round draft pick to the Dallas Mavericks, while guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and a future second round pick were sent to the Utah Jazz."

Already providing some Luka Magic pic.twitter.com/xW7UcmZQ3D
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 6, 2025

Nearly everyone around the NBA world has shared their thoughts on the deal.

One person who made a post (via his Substack) was Hall of Famer (and Lakers legend) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Two Excerpts from Abdul-Jabbar's Substack Article: "Davis, one of the best centers in the league, will be greatly missed by the Lakers, but in the long run, this trade will be a tremendous benefit to the team... LeBron James and Anthony Davis were terrific teammates and they probably will miss playing together, but both men know that what happens on the court is only one part of the game. The other part is more like chess, where valuable pieces are sometimes sacrificed to gain a strategic advantage."

A long-term strategy that will pay off for the Lakers… Follow the link to read more. https://t.co/xdTl5sLWaU pic.twitter.com/SSuOUGCUK7
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) February 5, 2025