The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off arguably the most shocking trade in NBA history when they acquired Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis last month. Though the Mavericks initially approached the Lakers about the trade, the Lakers had their own motivations for going through with the blockbuster deal.

The Los Angeles Lakers had plenty of reasons to jump at the opportunity to acquire Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks when the chance was offered to them. Owner Jeanie Buss, however, revealed that there was one big and surprising motivation behind the deal from the Lakers’ point of view.

Since Luka Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks last month, one of the biggest talking points has been how he would fit alongside LeBron James. Doncic, one of the league’s premier point guards, has been the primary facilitator for his team throughout his seven-year NBA career.