In a shocking turn of events, the NBA witnessed an unexpected trade as the Dallas Mavericks decided to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and a first-round pick, a decision that caught fans and media by surprise, and possibly even the players involved.
Initially, many assumed that ESPN’s Shams Charania had been hacked when he broke the news on Twitter, as confirmations from other media outlets began to confirm the unexpected trade. In a subsequent TV appearance, Shams revealed that even the players were taken aback by what might be the biggest scoop of his career:
“This deal materialized in the shadows … LeBron James had no idea this was coming. Anthony Davis had no idea this was coming. I’m told Luka Doncic is still stunned about this trade.”@ShamsCharania on the Anthony Davis-Luka Doncic trade between the Lakers and Mavericks pic.twitter.com/Hp4bL3UX2M
— ESPN (@espn) February 2, 2025
ESPN’s longtime reporter Dave McMenamin shared more details from New York, highlighting just how surprised James and Davis truly were:
LeBron James learned of the Davis-Doncic trade after the Knicks game 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.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 2, 2025
.@mcten said Anthony Davis was texting players after the Lakers win over the Knicks, unaware of the looming trade
"After the game, Anthony Davis is sending congratulatory text messages about the Lakers effort getting the win without him."
— Jacob Rude (@JacobRude) February 2, 2025
Reports from Dallas indicated that Doncic was equally blindsided:
The Mavericks and Luka Doncic, until tonight, were heading toward a five-year contract extension in July worth a record $345 million.
Dallas GM Nico Harrison made the call to abruptly change the direction of the franchise with one of the most stunning trades in league history. https://t.co/mQcNlH6zSR
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 2, 2025
Following this monumental trade, speculation arose regarding whether it might lead to a potential trade involving LeBron James, as discussed by Brian Windhorst:
Windhorst:
That is the discussion that is happening now throughout the league.
My phone is now moving past Luka into what happens with LeBron
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) February 2, 2025
While LeBron did not directly address these rumors, he took to Twitter to refute any claims that he had any involvement in the Davis trade:
You a fkn lie!!! https://t.co/EYNRUbUFmj
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 2, 2025
The shockwaves from this trade reverberated throughout the league, with All-Stars and executives alike expressing their disbelief through anonymous texts to reporters:
“I had a current NBA All-Star text me and say, ‘Do you know how much the Mavericks must hate Luka?’”
–@WindhorstESPN on how the league is reacting to the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade pic.twitter.com/Z1afOJQm17
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 2, 2025
Dallas had contacted several teams this week, looking to reroute additional salary for a potential three-team deal, sources said.
A bunch of teams knew inklings about the Mavericks being close on a trade.
Nobody knew it was trading Luka Doncic.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 2, 2025
As the news spread, players expressed their astonishment on social media and during postgame interviews:
Huh?????
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) February 2, 2025
“Insane. It’s crazy, crazy.”
Kevin Durant on mega Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade.
“Players are held to a different standard of loyalty and commitment to a program but the organizations don’t get held to that same standard from the outside.”
On teams following suit before Feb.… pic.twitter.com/DekP4eRN6N
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 2, 2025
“It’s crazy man. I really don’t know what to say about it. Luka being a guy that everybody has claimed is untouchable and untradeable. The NBA shows you again.”
Devin Booker on colossal Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade.
“It’s a business. They’re always having a conversation… pic.twitter.com/p2DdVR7u3N
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 2, 2025
This unexpected transaction may go down in history as one of the most shocking trades in professional sports, with reactions highlighting the surprise felt across the NBA. We’ll see if any other move can top it before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
For more on this trade, check out our Mavericks reaction from Mavs Moneyball, and the Lakers perspective at Silver Screen and Roll.
