NBA Trade Deadline: What The Luka Doncic Trade Means For Player Evaluation Moving Forward

Luka Doncic was traded for Anthony Davis, so what could the deal mean for player evaluation and roster construction moving forward? Plus, coverage of other young NBA players on the move this week!

Let’s get a few things out of the way before we dig into the meat and potatoes of this column.

First and foremost: this is NOT a “trade grades” piece under any circumstances. The point of diving into the details of the Luka Doncic/Anthony Davis mega-swap isn’t to relitigate what’s already happened. There are multiple ways to look at the context of a deal and how it feeds into the landscape of player evaluation and roster construction. THAT is the point of this exercise.

Second: along that same line of thinking, I’m stating up front I do not agree with the overall premise of trading a 25-year-old superstar in the prime of his career. Doncic is an incredible talent no matter which way you slice it, and teams that win titles need a bona fide number one option that can score in isolation and make decisions at critical times near the end of games.

Third: there are A LOT of open conspiracy theories surrounding the WHY of the trade. I’m not here to add commentary as to what’s real and what’s not.

With those ground rules established, I’m of the mindset to take this trade at face value given the comments of the person who reportedly initiated the conversation weeks ago—Dallas Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison.

In comments to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Harrison stated that this trade was executed based on what he believed to be the identity of a team that could win a championship within the next few years: defense.

"I believe that defense wins championships. I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We're built to win now and in the future."

It’s no secret that despite everything Doncic did to put the Mavericks within a stone’s throw of a championship twice over a two-year stretch, his defense fell short when his team needed him the most. Eliminating any off-court concerns or aforementioned conspiracy theories from the equation, what Harrison is stating essentially means he’s looking to build out an experienced core with players that provide exponential value on both ends of the floor.

Again, I am in no way saying what Harrison did was right OR wrong. What I’m interested in expounding upon is that what the NBA has been telling us as viewers, fans, and analysts over the last few seasons is that this direction of building a defense-first culture is what’s needed to win at the highest level.

And truth be told, anyone who has studied the game of basketball knows that’s exactly the foundation that’s repeatedly won time and time again.

---

Past and Present: Championship Contenders

Since the 2000-01 season, only three NBA teams have won a title with defenses that ranked outside the Top 10 during the regular season.

• 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers (21st in defense)

• 2017-18 Golden State Warriors (11th in defense)

• 2022-23 Denver Nuggets (15th in defense)

Where this gets tricky is that, technically, a title can be had if a team doesn’t possess the most stout defensive unit. But all three of those franchises had truly generational offensive talents leading the way each time.

The Lakers were formed on the backbone of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. That Warriors squad was captained by the two greatest shooters ever in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, along with perhaps the most prolific scorer the game has ever seen in Kevin Durant. And the Nuggets? Well, I’ve never seen a big man orchestrate an offense that can obliterate a defense from any angle like Nikola Jokic.

With those results accounted for, that means the majority of teams that have won championships this century (and honestly, dating back to the formation of the league) have held Top 10 defenses by rating during the regular season.

Today’s landscape paints a very similar picture in regard to those teams that are in position for top seeds in their respective conferences.

* Record and ratings data reflects as of 2/4/2025*

• Oklahoma City Thunder (39-9): 1st in DEF rating at 104.7; 6th in OFF rating at 117.4

  • Best defenders: Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren (when healthy)

• Cleveland Cavaliers (40-9): 8th in DEF rating at 111.8; 1st in OFF rating at 122.6

  • Best defenders: Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Max Strus, Isaac Okoro

• Boston Celtics (35-15): 5th in DEF rating at 110.6; 3rd in OFF rating at 119.5

  • Best defenders: Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford

• Memphis Grizzlies (34-16): 6th in DEF rating at 110.7; 5th in OFF rating at 118.2

  • Best defenders: Jaren Jackson Jr, Jaylen Wells, Desmond Bane, Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke, Marcus Smart (when healthy)

• New York Knicks (33-17): 15th in DEF rating at 114.1; 2nd in OFF rating at 120.8

  • Best defenders: OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Miles McBride

• Houston Rockets (32-17): 4th in DEF rating at 109.5; 13th in OFF rating at 114.4

  • Best defenders: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Dillon Brooks, Steven Adams, Fred VanVleet

• Denver Nuggets (31-19): 21st in DEF rating at 115.2; 4th in OFF rating at 119.3

  • Best defenders: Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun

There are a few exceptions to the rule in this group, most notably the Nuggets and the Knicks, but each have starters that can guard multiple positions and help to fill gaps with greater usage and responsibility on offense. Not to mention that those teams possess lethal offensive options in Nikola Jokic and the Jalen Brunson/Karl-Anthony Towns pick-and-roll duo, respectively.

Looking at those teams that are at the very top of the standings, each squad has a defensive identity that’s built around multiple players that could be worthy of All-Defense nominations in any given season. And in the case of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics, there are as many as six or seven players on both rosters that are very capable on-ball AND off-ball defenders, meaning there are ZERO weak spots in any given lineup on defense. Awareness, versatility, and length at every position on the floor from the point of attack to around the rim is quite the luxury to have. It’s certainly a blueprint teams will try to replicate over the coming years.

Along those lines, each of these teams has a strategy to defend in the paint and/or prevent easy layups and touches around the basket. Most of these units have some of the better rim protectors in the league, while others like the Houston Rockets have demons swarming around and lurking for steal opportunities in Amen Thompson and Tari Eason. Most importantly, these defensive-minded players aren’t taking much off the table offensively because they have true strengths, be it from the perimeter or finishing at the rim.

The two most efficient types of shots in the NBA are layups/dunks and three-point looks. Both rate well by the math in terms of points per possession, and in order to defend both well, the plan always comes back to first and foremost having answers for opposing teams attacking the paint.

---

Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis

This is where we get to look at the centerpieces of the trade.

Clearly, Anthony Davis fits into what was outlined above in terms of building a defensive philosophy that can be executed in championship fashion. Davis already won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Nico Harrison hopes he can help deliver another one alongside other talented wing defenders and a dynamic guard scorer in Kyrie Irving.

Davis has registered FIVE All-Defense and FOUR All-NBA seasons. He’s not only one of the best defenders in the world because of how he can play in different defensive coverages at any level on the floor—he has also averaged 24.2 PPG over his entire career.

While he’s been rated as a “poor” jump shooter for most of his time in the NBA per Synergy Sports, he’s still a threat to score on shots from the free-throw line area on the floor. Not to mention Davis is excellent at facing up other big men or posting smaller matchups on the block. And when he’s able to work in a two-man game with another talented ball handler? There are few better finishers in the sport!

And this is where the league has trended. It’s not JUST about taking and making more threes per game, although that math generally tends to result in wins more often than losses IF the shooters on the floor are capable of executing at such a high volume like the Boston Celtics.

The NBA is about finding ways to fill roles offensively, while getting the best of your matchup on the other end. If shots don’t fall, it’s essential to make sure that possessions aren’t given up to the other team on easy runouts or mistakes made in coverages in the halfcourt.

Davis presents the best of both worlds in that sense. He’s by definition a play-finisher offensively, meaning he’s most lethal when he has one or multiple shot creators able to set him up for easy conversions. But his finishing is at an ELITE level, meaning he can convert at volume in different ways inside the arc. He can play alongside another big who is best suited in the dunker spot or vice versa. Davis can operate at the top in dribble handoff sets, set screens, and roll or pop out for a jumper… all while still operating as one of the top defensive players in the NBA.

All that being said, Luka Doncic is the type of offensive hub that few teams actually have. Doncic is cerebral and operates multiple steps ahead of the defense as a maestro. His combination of size, strength, and craft help him get the best of defenders in nearly any situation, as he can pass out of double teams or score one-on-one from any area on the floor. There may not be even a handful of players you’d taking on offense over Doncic.

It’s been proven that ELITE offenses can get the best of teams and win a championship with the help of some breaks along the way. That type of basketball hasn’t yielded more championships than the reverse, but most of the teams that have rated well on defense have also enjoyed success offensively because of the opportunities that come from deflections and runouts.

Teams have to get stops AND get buckets to win at the highest level. There’s nothing revolutionary about that statement, that’s just how the game of basketball works. But both have to go hand-in-hand in order to achieve greatness.

The Dallas Mavericks and GM Nico Harrison expressed concerns with having a “weak point” in the rotation defensively alongside another guard in Kyrie Irving, who hasn’t been a primetime defender through his career either. Whether that ends up being a line of thinking that produces the results Mavericks fans want on the floor over an extended period of time remains to be seen.

But it’s not like Davis is chopped liver coming back in a trade. And this line of thinking in terms of grabbing elite size that can score at a requisite level, play alongside multiple floor-spacing wing defenders, switch defensively, and make life easy for two-man games at the top of the key is a trend that will continue to barrel on for years to come.

Two things can be true about the trade in regard to both Davis and Doncic: there likely was no better player on the market that the Mavericks could’ve gotten back than Davis, and he can help to form as formidable a defense as any alongside bigs like Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively upon return.

---

How Does This Tie Into The 2025 NBA Draft?

I’m a firm believer in the notion that there’s a lesson to be learned from every game watched, every stat studied, and every transaction evaluated. The NBA is constantly telling its fans and analysts where the game is going by not only the play on the floor, but also how the front offices operate.

If we are to believe this swap at face value (I know, big if!), it actually aligns with what we’ve seen from other organizations in recent years: finding players who can fill roles around higher usage backcourt and wing talent, aren’t turnover liabilities, and can defend/deter opposing players from easy looks at the rim or from distance.

While it’s easier said than done to find ready-made products in any draft because players require years of professional development, there’s a reason why Cooper Flagg is at the top of every team’s wishlist come June. Flagg embodies the idea of two-way versatility: an excellent help defender and secondary rim protector/playmaker who can also convert on easy offense and willingly create for others.

And looking beyond the likely first-overall pick, it becomes increasingly clear that good, productive centers are becoming harder to find both in the draft and even the trade market. Truly capable big men aren’t available to just grab for close to nothing in the G League or overseas. These players are generally either drafted or traded for at costly prices.

I’m not willing to go out on a limb and say that there’s an Anthony Davis-caliber big man in the 2025 NBA Draft. What I am saying is that there are a number of big men who may end up rising as we get closer to draft night and taken higher than some are expecting as of today:

• Thomas Sorber, Georgetown

• Danny Wolf, Michigan

• Johni Broome, Auburn

Broome in particular fascinates me the most, although watching back some recent tape of Wolf has me excited for his eventual NBA debut as well.

Broome has produced at a high level for multiple seasons at Auburn, and he’s displayed interior touch, reliable interior defense, and glass-cleaning ability on both ends of the floor with a rugged 6’10” frame. Not to mention, he’s even experimented with taking threes off the dribble and on easy catch-and-shoot looks.

There’s absolutely a world in which Broome shoots near a league-average clip, finds ways to score as a roller or post-up threat, helps to protect in the paint, and even plays alongside another center as a power forward. What if the San Antonio Spurs decided to find another big in the draft and selected Broome to play behind Victor Wembanyama, or even alongside him at times?

Broome may not be the “sexiest” draft pick on the table, but he would fill a clear hole in the rotation after Zach Collins got moved in the De’Aaron Fox trade. And to my knowledge, there are few teams selecting in the back half of the first round who couldn’t use a player like Broome, or even another center swing like Sorber or Wolf.

As for the other positions on the floor, selecting players who are viewed as “offensive-only” talents who don’t provide clear value when their shot isn’t falling might be scrutinized more in today’s landscape. Guards like Tre Johnson or Jeremiah Fears who have stuffed stat sheets already this year as freshmen might not be as appealing to NBA teams who are looking for size, length, and mobility on the floor at all times, especially if they’re defensively vulnerable and prone to making mistakes with the ball in their hands.

To be clear: I like those players! Both have upsides suggesting they could become offensive stars in the NBA. But depending on how rosters are presently constructed for teams selecting later in the lottery or first round, there could be other guard options on the table or, better yet, wings capable of scoring from the outside while also defending and creating chaos on that side of the ball. Even thinking past Ace Bailey and VJ Edgecombe, a few other names have maintained their stock or risen up boards at this point in the cycle that fit that mold:

• Miles Byrd, San Diego State

• Noah Penda, Le Mans Sarthe Basket

• Nique Clifford, Colorado State

• Alex Karaban, UConn

• Darrion Williams, Texas Tech

Here are some other forward-size players who have shown athleticism and versatility on both ends of the floor that deserve to be in the mix for higher-than-expected selections come June:

• Asa Newell, Georgia

• Collin-Murray Boyles, South Carolina

• Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s

• Alex Condon, Florida

NBA teams will have tough decisions to make on draft night—just like every year—but don’t be surprised to hear some other names called before your favorite pure bucket-getters given how the landscape of the league has continued to shift over recent seasons.

Defense does, in fact, win championships. And if franchises can find players to help form that identity while also not sacrificing much in terms of a defined offensive role, they’ll take those chances time and time again in the draft.

---

Youth Movement NBA Prospects On The Move

Max Christie, Los Angeles Lakers → Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks picked up a 6’6” wing in Max Christie that can help fortify the defensive identity the team is looking to build both now and into the future. Christie is on a reasonable contract and has improved as not only a defender but also a three-point shooter this season. In 47 games with the Los Angeles Lakers, Christie shot 38.3% from deep on 3.5 attempts per game, and was a key cog in helping the Lakers get on track in the Western Conference playoff race. Still young in his own right, Christie has upside to still grow into as a shot-maker off the dribble, something that he showed in spurts back in college at Michigan State.

Quentin Grimes, Dallas Mavericks → Philadelphia 76ers

In a separate deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Dallas Mavericks sent Quentin Grimes to the City of Brotherly Love in exchange for Caleb Martin and other pieces. What the 76ers get in Grimes is a tough-nosed player who has reshaped his style of play since his initial days in college at Kansas. Grimes was once a highly touted point guard prospect who took it upon himself to slide off the ball, embrace backcourt defense, and prioritize spot-up shooting as a key core of his game. A career 38% shooter from three, Grimes will help a Philadelphia team that currently ranks in the bottom third of the NBA in three-point shooting efficiency.

AJ Johnson, Milwaukee Bucks → Washington Wizards

What a fascinating swing by the Washington Wizards to make a move with the Milwaukee Bucks and grab not only Khris Middleton as a trusted vet in the locker room, but another young prospect in AJ Johnson. Johnson played in the NBL Next Stars Program last draft cycle before entering his name into the 2024 NBA Draft. His season overseas didn’t go quite as planned, but he was one of the top guards in high school with plenty of upside as a 6’5” primary ball handler. While he’s spent most of this season in the G League, Johnson has improved consistently across the board as the year has gone on, especially in terms of shooting and playmaking efficiency. Johnson should fit right in with what the Wizards are looking to build long term.

Patrick Baldwin Jr., Washington Wizards → Milwaukee Bucks → San Antonio Spurs

Patrick Baldwin was ultimately rerouted multiple times before the trade deadline, and he now finds himself in San Antonio alongside other talented young prospects and veterans looking to mentor Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. While Baldwin hasn’t gotten a ton of NBA run, he was a highly touted forward prospect out of high school. Baldwin’s strengths as a stretch forward are in his shooting touch, and he still has some defensive questions to answer. The hope is that he can continue to learn and grow on both sides of the ball in a development-oriented culture in San Antonio.

Jaden Springer, Boston Celtics → Houston Rockets → UFA

After what seemed like a decent deal for the Houston Rockets to pick him up, the team cut Jaden Springer. Having been drafted near the end of the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2021, Springer never quite made his presence felt on the floor for the 76ers in his short time with the franchise. He did help the Delaware Blue Coats win a G League title, and was the top scorer and defender for that club. Defense in particular is Springer’s strong suit, as he is a strong guard built to defend across multiple positions in the backcourt, wall off opposing ball handlers, and use his quick hands to get deflections and earn runouts in transition. Shooting is still a swing skill for Springer, but he’s only 22 years old and should be able to earn another opportunity elsewhere to prove his talent.

Sidy Cissoko, San Antonio Spurs → Sacramento Kings → Washington Wizards → UFA

Unfortunately, Sidy Cissoko was released after being moved to multiple teams before the deadline from the San Antonio Spurs. The Wizards released Sidy Cissoko, who will be looking for a stable situation after having spent most of his young professional career in the G League between the Ignite program and the Austin Spurs. A 6’8” wing from France, Cissoko has a great blend of length, athleticism, and passing ability that can help make others around him better. An inconsistent scorer from all levels on the floor, Cissoko will need to become more efficient and lock in better away from the ball defensively in order to make the most of a new opportunity. Still, Cissoko has plenty of upside in a mold of player that every team is looking for, and he’s still just 20 years old.

Jericho Sims, New York Knicks → Milwaukee Bucks

One of the more athletic big men in the entire NBA, Jericho Sims finds himself in a new situation and out of a loaded New York Knicks frontcourt. The Milwaukee Bucks needed an injection of size and youth behind Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Sims should be able to provide that in stretches for a team looking to contend in the Eastern Conference. A high-level finisher, transition threat, and rim protector, Sims has the tools to contribute more on both ends of the floor should he get the opportunity. This was a great get for the Bucks on a cheap deal.

Mark Williams, Charlotte Hornets → Los Angeles Lakers

I’m very much up in the air about the Los Angeles Lakers’ trade for Mark Williams, as I can see this deal from both sides. On one hand, the Charlotte Hornets are able to sell high on a former 15th overall pick who has suffered multiple injuries and has only played 85 games over his first three seasons. This trade netted the Hornets multiple draft picks and Dalton Knecht (more on him below), so Charlotte ended up coming out with a positive return for the young big man. On the other hand, centers with the raw size, length, athleticism, and finishing ability of Williams aren’t exactly available in high supply around the league. We can argue about the value that was given up to get Williams, but to me the bet was worth making because he’s still only 23 years old and is an effective player across the board in the time he has spent on an NBA floor. An analytics darling through two seasons at Duke, Williams still has some untapped potential as a stretch big and DHO operator at the top of the floor. Put those things together with what he already does well, and the Lakers might’ve hit another home run at the deadline when all is said and one, especially alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers → Charlotte Hornets

Speaking of Dalton Knecht, he now finds himself in a rebuilding situation with the Charlotte Hornets as a result of the Mark Williams swap. I’m a little surprised the Los Angeles Lakers willingly parted ways with someone who has been in conversations for the Rookie of the Year award at different points this season, but Knecht also likely wasn’t going to be a short-term playoff contributor in Los Angeles either. An excellent shooter off the catch or on the move, Knecht has plenty of value as an athletic wing who can create his own shot away from the ball. But his defense hasn’t been something to speak of highly so far in his young career, and his struggles on that side of the ball have carried over from his time at lower levels and in D1 as a Tennessee Volunteer. Knecht was a late bloomer in college and has the athletic ability to improve as a defender in time. Coach Charles Lee should be able to help bring him up to speed on that end of the floor as a defense-first leader. What does it mean for the Hornets offensively? LaMelo Ball will have no shortage of movement shooters to play off of in creative sets. Add in a dangerous cutter who can also space from the corner in Tidjane Salaun, and the Hornets still have a fun foundation to keep building on along with—hopefully—another top talent in the 2025 Draft.

Jared Butler, Washington Wizards → Philadelphia 76ers

I have to admit that I had a smile on my face when I saw the news about Jared Butler coming to the Philadelphia 76ers. We will see what the Sixers do with the second-round picks acquired in this deal, but Philly gets a look at another young guard in Butler who has been pretty good in the minutes he’s gotten with Washington this season! A player who was once viewed as a lottery-level talent before medical issues interrupted his ascension to the NBA, Butler knows how to play the game at a high level. A talented decision-maker, shooter, and on-ball defender, Butler can provide a spark off the bench for a team that has found success in giving young guys minutes this year, most notably Justin Edwards, Ricky Council IV, and Jeff Dowtin.

Johnny Davis, Washington Wizards → Memphis Grizzlies

As part of a multi-team deal, Johnny Davis finds himself on a bit of a redemption tour with the Memphis Grizzlies, having been traded from the Washington Wizards. There’s no question the former Wisconsin guard hasn’t seen his NBA career play out the way scouts envisioned after he was selected with a late lottery pick, but Davis’ case as a prospect was always built off of toughness. That identity wasn’t always present in Washington, but around a team of tough-minded individuals in Memphis, this could be Davis’ best chance to re-discover what made him such a fascinating prospect in the first place. A lot still rides on his jump shot, but Memphis has a number of talented passers and cutters to open up lanes for Davis to get downhill and set up his mid-range jumper where he’s most comfortable on the floor.

Jake LaRavia, Memphis Grizzlies → Sacramento Kings

This was a pretty big Youth Movement NBA swing that happened at the trade deadline buzzer on Thursday. In a multi-team trade, the Memphis Grizzlies sent Jake LaRavia to the Sacramento Kings with other assets including Colby Jones (more on him below) coming back to Memphis. What the Kings get in LaRavia is a solid all-around forward who really started to find his footing this season. At Wake Forest, LaRavia was a reliable cutter and tertiary playmaker who helped balance his team’s offense, while having shooting promise many hoped would translate to the NBA. After a few years of trying to serve a purpose as a willing shooter, LaRavia’s efficiency skyrocketed this season up to 44.4% on less volume. Balancing his offensive load has helped him find some good minutes of late, and should carry over into what the Kings need more of.

Colby Jones, Sacramento Kings → Washington Wizards

As part of the aforementioned Jake LaRavia deal, Colby Jones swapped spots to the Washington Wizards late at the trade deadline buzzer on Thursday afternoon. Jones hasn’t gotten many opportunities up with the Sacramento Kings, but did play very well this year in the G League with the Stockton Kings. Averaging over 19 PPG on efficient splits across the board while chipping in rebounds and operating as a secondary playmaker, Jones has a wide array of skills that could prove useful to Memphis should the team need to dig deeper down its bench due to injury concerns. There’s still time for Colby to figure it out as a role player in the league, and the Wizards might be a good spot for him to get some run and prove what he has in the tank.