NBA trade deadline has passed and one thing is certain: the Lakers came out on top. The Lakers pulled off one of the most jaw-dropping moves in recent memory by acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks.

The Athletic reported earlier in the week that the Mavericks had a dream of pairing Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant with their current core of Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. SNY's Ian Begley is taking that one step further, saying the Mavs were actively engaged in talks on Wednesday, trying to make it happen.

Doncic, who had dragged an otherwise unremarkable Mavericks team through the Western Conference, became the face of their failure. Dallas coach Jason Kidd was forced to come out and defend his maligned star, even though without Doncic, the Mavericks were a faded Kyrie Irving and a bunch of role players.

Dončić was traded to the Lakers on Saturday in exchange for several players and draft picks, most notably big man Anthony Davis, who helped the Purple and Gold win the 2020 NBA Championship.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd ruled center Anthony Davis out for Thursday night’s NBA Finals rematch against the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics are 9-1 against the Mavericks in their past 10 games, the only loss coming in Game 4 of the NBA Finals last season.

Whether or not the Brow suits up for his new ball club, Boston would do well to try to keep their guard up for this contest.