Doncic Faces Mavs as Lakers Reveal Preseason Schedule

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers will square off against the Dallas Mavericks in a must-watch preseason rematch on Oct. 15 in Las Vegas — the first meeting between the teams since their blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to L.A. and Anthony Davis to Dallas.

The Lakers unveiled their four-game preseason slate on Monday, and the Las Vegas matchup has already reignited fan debate over February’s stunning deal that shook up two NBA franchises and split fanbases.

Doncic, the former face of the Mavericks, dominated both meetings against his old team after the trade, dropping a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists in a 107-99 Lakers win in Los Angeles on Feb. 25.

He followed that with a 45-point eruption in Dallas on April 9, helping the Lakers beat the Mavericks again, 112-97.

Anthony Davis, now wearing Dallas blue, missed the February contest but registered 13 points and 11 rebounds during the April game.

The rematch promises to stir up lingering feelings among Mavericks fans, many of whom were furious over the front office’s decision to part ways with Doncic.

“There was a lot of criticism circling the Dallas Mavericks after they traded franchise star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers,” the team acknowledged in its preseason announcement.

Flagg in the Mix, LeBron Still Leads L.A.

Adding intrigue to the Oct. 15 clash, Dallas could unveil Cooper Flagg — the projected No. 1 overall pick — after improbably winning the NBA draft lottery despite longshot odds.

The Lakers, meanwhile, will continue to lean on veteran LeBron James and a retooled roster seeking another deep playoff push in what could be one of James’ final seasons.

Also on the Lakers’ preseason schedule:

• Oct. 3 vs. Phoenix Suns in Palm Desert, Calif.
• Oct. 12 vs. Golden State Warriors (home)
• Oct. 17 vs. Sacramento Kings (home)

Trade Still Reverberates

The Doncic-Davis deal was one of the most polarizing moves in recent NBA history.

Dallas, seeking to balance its roster and avoid losing Davis for nothing, shipped Doncic to Los Angeles for the oft-injured but elite two-way big man.

Doncic has since flourished in Los Angeles, adding scoring and elite playmaking to a Lakers team that surged late in the 2024-25 season.

Davis, meanwhile, has faced pressure in Dallas to carry the franchise post-Doncic — and to justify the front office’s gamble.

The upcoming preseason game is expected to serve as an unofficial referendum on the deal — even if it’s technically a tune-up game.

Raptors Emerge in Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors

Elsewhere in the league, speculation continues to swirl around Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose name has entered offseason trade chatter following Milwaukee’s third straight first-round playoff exit.

According to DraftKings, the Bucks are still favored to retain Antetokounmpo (-140), but several teams are closing in, including:

• San Antonio Spurs (+380)
• Houston Rockets (+450)
• Toronto Raptors (+1000)

The Raptors’ odds shortened following a Toronto Star report citing “mutual interest” between the team and the two-time NBA MVP should a trade be pursued.

“ESPN also reported that the Raptors are ‘looking for a big fish’ in the offseason trade market,” the article noted.

With star guard Damian Lillard sidelined for the upcoming season due to a torn Achilles, the Bucks are entering a transition period that could prompt tough decisions.

Antetokounmpo, 30, averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 2024–25. He is under contract through the 2026–27 season, with a $62.8 million player option for 2027–28.

Trade Destinations: Odds Breakdown

In addition to the Bucks, Spurs, Rockets, and Raptors, several other franchises are considered outside contenders to land Antetokounmpo:

• Dallas Mavericks (+1200)
• Oklahoma City Thunder (+1300)
• New York Knicks (+1600)
• Brooklyn Nets (+2000)
• Los Angeles Lakers (+3500)
• Golden State Warriors (+3500)
• Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns (+5000 each)

The Spurs, with rising star Victor Wembanyama and newly acquired De’Aaron Fox, offer a compelling young core and a trove of draft picks.

The Rockets are also loaded with young talent and in need of a veteran presence to anchor a playoff-caliber team.

The Raptors, meanwhile, could leverage wing depth and draft capital in a trade package, capitalizing on their apparent mutual interest with Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo’s decision — or the Bucks’ — could define the NBA’s offseason.

Milwaukee is in an increasingly precarious position. A roster once seen as title-ready now faces questions about durability, aging stars, and whether to rebuild or retool.

For now, the odds say Giannis stays. But as the Mavericks-Lakers trade proved, even the most unthinkable moves can happen — and change the face of the league overnight.