Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison defended the jaw-dropping trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis on Sunday as a shellshocked NBA struggled to comprehend the deal.

In a seismic development that sent shockwaves rippling throughout the basketball world, news broke late on Saturday that the Mavs are trading away Doncic -- a 25-year-old five-time All-Star -- in exchange for Lakers big man Davis as part of a three-team deal.

The extraordinary trade gives Dallas badly needed defensive heft with the acquisition of Davis, while the Lakers have at a stroke solved the riddle of how to prepare for life after LeBron James, the 40-year-old superstar who is the current face of the franchise.

Neither Davis, Doncic nor James were given advance warning that the deal was in the works, US media reported.

ESPN reported that James first learned of the deal late on Saturday while out for dinner in New York with his family following the Lakers' victory over the Knicks at........

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