From Luka Dončić’s blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis, to Demarcus Cousins and John Wall, these NBA trades involving Kentucky basketball stars shocked fans and left lasting impacts.
The NBA trade landscape is never short of drama, but a few trades have left fans absolutely stunned. One trade, in particular, took the basketball world by surprise—Luka Dončić’s blockbuster move to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025.
But Dončić’s deal wasn’t the only one involving Kentucky basketball stars that shocked the NBA. From Anthony Davis’s ill-fated move to Dallas to DeMarcus Cousins’ abrupt exit from Sacramento, Kentucky’s finest have been part of some of the most talked-about trades in recent NBA history.
Here’s a look at the most shocking NBA trades involving Kentucky basketball legends and why they remain some of the biggest flops.
1. Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis (2025): A Trade that Stunned the World
Los Angeles Lakers RECEIVE Luka Doncic Maxi Kleber Markieff Morris Dallas Mavericks RECEIVE Anthony Davis Max Christie 2029 Lakers First-Round Pick Utah Jazz RECEIVE Jalen Hood-Schifino 2025 LA Clippers Second-Round Pick 2025 Mavericks Second-Round Pick
On February 2, 2025, the Dallas Mavericks traded 25-year-old Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for 31-year-old Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future 2029 first-round pick. The deal also involved the Utah Jazz, who received Jalen Hood-Schifino and a pair of second-round picks.
The basketball world was in shock, with ESPN’s Shams Charania needing to clarify that the trade was real. Luka Doncic thought it was a joke and actually broke his phone when he found out the news.
Why It Was a Flop: The trade was a massive misfire for the Mavericks. Dončić, a generational talent, averaged 28.6 PPG and 8.7 RPG, while Davis, despite being a 10-time All-Star, is 32 and has a history of injuries. The Mavericks’ rationale behind the trade—improving defense—didn’t pan out as they limped out of the playoffs in a loss to the Grizzlies.
Analysts gave the Lakers an “A” for their acquisition, while the Mavericks received an “F.” The fallout? A 12-18 record for Dallas post-trade and multiple injuries to Davis and Kyrie Irving.
Kentucky Connection: Davis, drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2012, became the centerpiece of the trade for Dallas. However, his defensive prowess couldn’t make up for Dončić’s offensive brilliance, leaving Mavericks fans furious.
2. DeMarcus Cousins to New Orleans (2017): The King’s mistake
Sacramento Kings Logo
Sacramento Kings RECEIVE Buddy Hield Tyreke Evans Langston Galloway 2017 First And Second-Round Pick New Orleans Pelicans RECEIVE DeMarcus Cousins Omri Casspi
In February 2017, the Sacramento Kings traded DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, and two future draft picks. Cousins, a four-time All-Star, was averaging 27.8 PPG and 10.6 RPG but found himself on the move after Sacramento’s mismanagement.
Why It Was a Flop: Cousins, paired with Anthony Davis in New Orleans, should have been a dominant duo.
Instead, injuries and lack of chemistry limited their success. By 2018, Cousins tore his Achilles, and the Pelicans let him walk in free agency. Meanwhile, the Kings received minimal value in return. So neither team really came out ahead.
Kentucky Connection: Cousins, like Davis, was a dominant force at Kentucky. His prime years were squandered by Sacramento’s lack of direction, mirroring the frustrations felt in other Kentucky trade mishaps.
The Kings also traded De’Aaron Fox to the Spurs. The draft picks there could net a positive return, so we have to withhold grading it for now.
3. John Wall to Houston (2020): The Decline of a Star
Houston Rockets RECEIVE John Wall Washington Wizards RECEIVE Russell Westbrook Lottery Protected First Round Pick
In December 2020, the Washington Wizards traded John Wall to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Russell Westbrook. Wall, recovering from an Achilles injury, never returned to his All-Star form, while Westbrook struggled in Washington. Again leaving both teams worse than they were.
Why It Was a Flop: Wall’s return to full strength never materialized, and the Wizards traded away a franchise cornerstone for an aging Westbrook, who never fit in Washington’s system. This deal signaled the decline of a once-promising career.
Kentucky Connection: Wall, the 2010 No. 1 pick out of Kentucky, was a major player for Washington before the trade. The deal left fans lamenting the loss of a Kentucky icon for an ill-fitting star in Westbrook.
Why these trades stand out
The Luka Dončić-Anthony Davis trade remains the most shocking of all, swapping a 25-year-old MVP candidate for a 30+-year-old star with injury concerns. Similarly, the DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall trades share a common thread: mismanagement of Kentucky talent.
These trades not only changed the course of these players’ careers but also left a lasting impact on the NBA, showcasing the high stakes and high regrets involved when Kentucky players are on the move.
The Luka Dončić trade to the Lakers is a watershed moment in NBA history, and for Kentucky fans, it’s a stark reminder of the importance of valuing their talent. Whether it’s Davis, Cousins, or Wall, these trades showcase the mistakes teams make when they mishandle Kentucky’s finest. As the fallout continues to reverberate, one thing’s for sure—these trades will be a point of discussion for years to come.
