The Lakers have a date like this one in their history: six years ago, a signature shot from Anthony Davis kept a championship run alive. The team built around Davis is gone now, replaced by a rebuild anchored on Luka Dončić entering his first full season in Los Angeles.
The Night in Denver
On September 20, 2020, the Lakers beat Denver 105-103 in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, a result Lakers Nation revisited this week around the buzzer-beater that closed it: Anthony Davis's shot at the horn. That Lakers team, built around Davis and LeBron James, went on to win the franchise's 17th championship that October, tying the Celtics for the most titles in NBA history.
Davis For Dončić
That frontcourt is gone. On February 1, 2025, the Lakers sent Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick to Dallas for Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, betting the next era on one 27-year-old instead of the two stars who won it. Dončić is heading into his first full season in Los Angeles with the Lakers still at 0-0, training camp ahead and no regular-season minutes logged yet. Coach JJ Redick, entering his second season on the bench, is the one tasked with turning that bet into wins.
The Price of a Star
That bet came with a real price: a 2029 first-round pick now owed to Dallas, and a 2029 second to Memphis, part of what it cost to land him. It is a familiar trade for this franchise. From George Mikan's four titles in five years to Magic Johnson's five in nine, the Lakers have long paid to keep one singular star carrying the franchise, chasing a title that would break a tie with the Celtics at 17 that has held since 2020. Dončić is the one now asked to keep that lineage going, beginning when the season starts October 21 against the Warriors.
What happened on this date in Lakers history?
On September 20, 2020, the Lakers beat Denver 105-103 in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, a game Lakers Nation revisited this week around Anthony Davis's buzzer-beater.
What did the Lakers give up to trade for Luka Dončić?
On February 1, 2025, Los Angeles sent Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick to Dallas for Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris.
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