Lakers Land Luka Dončić, Then Replace Anthony Davis in Blockbuster Mock Trade
The Los Angeles Lakers had already shaken the NBA to its core by pulling off the impossible—acquiring Luka Dončić in a stunning blockbuster deal. After years of frustration with the Dallas Mavericks, Dončić had grown weary of carrying the load without a legitimate co-star, and the Lakers swooped in, offering a package centered around Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and multiple first-round picks. With Dončić now in purple and gold, the next task was even trickier—finding the perfect replacement for Anthony Davis, whom they had reluctantly traded away in a three-team swap to facilitate Luka’s arrival.
Enter the Indiana Pacers.
With their newfound flexibility and a gaping hole in the frontcourt, the Lakers set their sights on Myles Turner, a player they had been linked to for years but had never been able to acquire. The Pacers, fresh off their own playoff run, were at a crossroads. While Turner remained a defensive anchor, the front office was eager to transition toward a more offensive-oriented team around Tyrese Haliburton. With the Lakers desperate to pair Dončić with a capable big man, trade discussions heated up.
In the end, the Lakers packaged Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and a 2029 first-round pick in exchange for Turner, a move that instantly fortified their interior defense while maintaining their offensive versatility. Turner, an elite shot-blocker and a capable three-point shooter, offered the perfect blend of skills to complement Dončić and LeBron James. Unlike Davis, Turner wouldn’t demand post touches or slow the offense—he would stretch the floor, protect the rim, and thrive as a third option in the newly constructed Lakers superteam.
With Dončić orchestrating the offense, LeBron still a dominant force, and Turner locking down the paint, the Lakers suddenly had the most balanced roster they had seen in years. The Western Conference was stacked, but Los Angeles had the firepower to go toe-to-toe with the reigning champions. The Dončić-LeBron pairing was unlike anything the league had ever seen—two of the highest-IQ players in the game sharing the court, dissecting defenses, and making every teammate better.
Turner’s impact was immediate. In his Lakers debut, he recorded 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks, seamlessly fitting into the system. Dončić dazzled with a 32-point triple-double, and LeBron, now relieved of primary playmaking duties, dominated in transition like it was 2016 again. The Lakers, once thought to be in decline, were now a terrifying force, reinvented and reinvigorated.
As the season progressed, the chemistry only improved. Turner’s ability to stretch the floor opened driving lanes for Dončić and LeBron, while his rim protection gave the Lakers a defensive backbone. By midseason, they had climbed to the top of the Western Conference, silencing doubters who questioned whether Dončić and LeBron could coexist.
The Lakers had done it. They had lost Anthony Davis but gained a generational talent in Luka Dončić and found the perfect replacement in Myles Turner. Now, with championship aspirations once again in reach, the only question left was—could they finish the job?
