The Los Angeles Lakers' blockbuster acquisition of Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks caught many by surprise, including someone directly involved in those discussions.
Utah Jazz president of basketball operations Danny Ainge was unaware that both Doncic and Anthony Davis were part of the multi-team deal he helped facilitate until only 30 minutes before the trade was completed, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Tim MacMahon.
Ainge spent several years with the Boston Celtics as both a player and executive. Once the two-time NBA champ learned he was helping his longtime rival, it was too late to prevent the deal from going through, Shelburne and MacMahon add.
Utah received second-year guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Los Angeles Clippers' 2025 second-round pick from the Lakers, and the Mavericks' 2025 second-rounder in the three-team trade.
The Lakers selected Hood-Schifino with the No. 17 overall pick two years ago. He's spent the majority of his time in the G League, making only 23 NBA appearances.
Utah also acquired a 2030 second-rounder from the Los Angeles Clippers in the Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills trade.
