How Much Could the Los Angeles Lakers Get Back If They Traded Luka Doncic 1 Year Later?

Twelve months ago, a Luka Dončić trade was unfathomable. It's hard to imagine it even crossing fans' minds.

But since Nico Harrison did the unthinkable (and for an unthinkable return), the idea is now floating around the ether. Every once in a while, you'll see the debate about a "Luka for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander" or "Luka for Anthony Edwards" trade surface on social media.

With those ideas more common than they once were, and on the anniversary of the Dončić trade that actually did go through, we can't help but wonder what a reasonable return would be for the superstar now.

Of course, there's no reason to think the Los Angeles Lakers are going to move on from Luka now. But if they entertained it, what would teams give up to get him?

In other words, if L.A. started a bidding war (like Dallas should've done, if it was hellbent on trading him), what might the winning package look like?

The SGA Swap

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Luka Dončić and a 2031 first-round pick for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

We already mentioned this one at the top. And frankly, it's borderline ludicrous from the perspective of both teams. The Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder would probably both say no.

Luka turns 27 this month, is the second-best offensive engine in the NBA (behind only Nikola Jokić) and is a perennial MVP candidate.

SGA's only a year older, could become a two-time MVP this season and already has a title to his name.

The former is the better distributor and rebounder. The latter is a more efficient scorer and has a higher defensive ceiling.

Both would remain among the very best players in the league in their new settings. Luka would have far more defensive cover in OKC. Gilgeous-Alexander's "face of the league" stock would skyrocket in LA.

Again, both sides would probably say no to the very idea of this trade. But the Thunder, given the fact that they're trending toward a second straight title, would say it a little more aggressively, which is why the Lakers are the side throwing in a pick on this one.

The Ant Swap

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Lakers Receive: Anthony Edwards, a 2030 first-round pick swap from Minnesota and a 2026 second-round pick from Brooklyn

Timberwolves Receive: Luka Dončić

Nets Receive: Joan Beringer

The analysis on this one is going to be awfully similar to the last trade, but the salary situations of LA and the Minnesota Timberwolves don't allow for a straight-up swap.

That's why the Brooklyn Nets, who could use a young center like Joan Beringer to pair with Egor Dёmin, are included here. Their cap space can absorb some salary, and the second-round pick sweetens the deal a bit for the Lakers.

They're getting the worse player in this deal, but Anthony Edwards' game is a little less redundant with those of LeBron James and Austin Reaves. And, as is the case with SGA, he does bring more defensive upside than Luka does.

For the Timberwolves, who may have rejected a deal like this last year, losing Edwards would be tough for the fans who've embraced it, but Luka's playmaking would supercharge their offense. And Rudy Gobert would be the perfect defensive anchor to play behind him.

San Antonio Pairs Luka and Wemby

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Luka Dončić for Keldon Johnson, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, a 2029 first-round pick, a 2030 first-round pick swap and a 2031 first-round pick

The San Antonio Spurs are another team that should be totally happy with their current roster and trajectory.

They have Victor Wembanyama and a ferocious young guard corps. They've already beaten the Oklahoma City Thunder three times this season. The fact that they're reportedly out on a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo deal suggests they're plenty comfortable with a slow, organic build.

But Luka is four years younger than Giannis. And at least on offense, he's a much better fit alongside Wemby. Those two, with Luka's playmaking and Wembanyama's size, would comprise a genuinely unstoppable offensive duo.

But they'd have to give up both of their intriguing young guards (Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle), plus plenty of draft capital, to get the Lakers to even think about doing something like this.

Luka for the Sixers' Backcourt

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Luka Dončić and Jaxson Hayes for Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and a 2032 first-round pick

The Mavericks got plenty of heat for only getting one pick in their Luka trade, but this is obviously a much different situation.

Tyrese Maxey is eight years younger than Anthony Davis. VJ Edgecombe is a much higher-upside prospect than Max Christie. And a 2032 first-round pick from Philadelphia would convey when Luka is in his mid-30s and Joel Embiid is potentially retired.

In fact, as is the case with the previous three packages, this is probably enough of a haul for Philadelphia to be seriously concerned about giving it up.

But Daryl Morey has long been a fan of the super-duperstar trade. And a Luka-Embiid combination would be an absolute nightmare on offense (assuming Embiid can stay upright through the spring).