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.

Having the Lakers as the biggest winner of the trade deadline may seem obvious because Doncic — the best player who moved at the trade deadline — is now a member of the organization, but this move illustrates the thought process for this team moving forward.

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.