The 2020s may have just had it’s “The Decision” moment with the shocking news the Dallas Mavericks are sending Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, but how did the Slovenian and LeBron James react when they found out?
Shams Charania broke the news of the trade, also involving the Utah Jazz, and broke the internet in the process as the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes reacted with stunned words.
Fans are bewildered at the developments, failing to see how trading Doncic for Anthony Davis works for the 2024 NBA runners-up, owned and run by Mark Cuban, and it was so far out of left field it wasn’t even on LeBron or Luka’s radars.
James, a four-time champion and billionaire, is regarded as one of the greatest NBA stars of all-time and rarely is left out of the loop when it comes to developments regarding his teammates. But this time the 40-year-old had no idea.
“LeBron James learned of the Davis-Doncic trade after the Knicks game,” Dave McMenamin posted to X.com, formerly Twitter. “When it broke while he was out to dinner with his family,” sources close to James told ESPN.
“James was surprised by the news, is processing it and had no idea it was in the works, sources said.”
And the same can be said for his new European colleague, who is one of the best talents of his generation and similarly didn’t know he could be swapping the American Airlines Center for the Crypto.com Arena imminently.
“I’m told that Luka was blindsided by this trade,” Ben Rogers wrote to Twitter. “That he had no idea this was coming.
“This is NOT something that he asked for. This was not his choice. He had zero idea.”
Who is involved in the Doncic-Davis trade?
Great news for the Lakers fans is they have now added arguably the best weapon in the entire NBA to their arsenal to partner up with LeBron James, as well as securing a star talent and marketing force for the years to come.
The move could instantly transform the team from finals optimists to championship favorites in the 2024/25 NBA season and offers another head-scratcher for the Cleveland Cavaliers to contend with.
And headscratcher is the perfect word to describe the mood in the Mavericks’ camp as fans react with shock and sadness that their favorite player will be heading for pastures new in the coming days.
Here is the trade breakdown
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris.
Dallas Mavericks receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie and 2029 Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round pick.
Utah Jazz receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino and both the 2025 Lakers and Mavericks’ second-round picks.
