It feels impossible for the NBA to shock anyone at this point. Keeping in mind the craziness of the last decade, beginning with Kevin Durant joining the Golden State Warriors, nothing seems completely out of the realm of possibility. However, a franchise trading away its 25-year-old franchise centerpiece — and one of the four best players in the world — for an aging superstar might rank up there.
As most of the NBA world was getting ready to sleep, Shams Charania of ESPN broke the news of the deal of a lifetime. Luka Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. A deal so unbelievable many believed it was a parody account or Charania had been hacked; it left the NBA world stunned before reactions started pouring in.
Fans Left Shocked and Fuming After Luka Doncic Trade to Lakers for Anthony Davis
The full details of the deal include the Lakers acquiring Doncic, Markieff Morris, and Maxi Kleiber. In exchange, the Dallas Mavericks got Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-rounder. The Utah Jazz were also a minor part of the trade, taking on two second-rounders and Jalen Hood-Schifino.
Charania broke down the timeline in a separate tweet, claiming, “The Mavericks approached the Lakers recently and offered Luka Doncic, sources tell ESPN. Lakers brass met and believed the 25-year-old Doncic has the ability to be the face of their franchise for the next decade while giving Anthony Davis a win-now move in Dallas.”
The move was a shocker for everyone. While initially believed to be driven by the Slovenian asking for a trade out of Dallas, further reports confirmed that the move was the brainchild of Mavs general manager Nico Harrison. As a result, fans were livid.
“I like the lakers but why on earth would Dallas ever agree to this trade?! Anthony Davis got hurt just hearing the news.”
The disbelief from the fan base was palpable. Doncic, since coming into the league, has been a first-team All-NBA player more times than Stephen Curry in his career. A virtual lock for a 30-point triple-double each night, he led the team to the NBA Finals just last season.
I like the lakers but why on earth would Dallas ever agree to this trade?!
Anthony Davis got hurt just hearing the news
— Justin (@Justin__NC) February 2, 2025
The move felt so unimaginable for some that they immediately resorted to calling it rigged.
“This is a BROKEN TRADE!! The @NBA is HEMORRHAGING viewers and LJ [LeBron James] is getting ready to retire. This is a manufactured deal to give LeBron one last ride. This is a sickening trade to allow. The #NBA is simply BROKEN!!!”
This is a BROKEN TRADE!! The @NBA is HEMORRHAGING viewers and LJ is getting ready to retire
This is a manufactured deal to give LeBron one last ride..
This is a sickening trade to allow. The #NBA is simply BROKEN!!!
— Big12 Mafia (@B12Mafia) February 2, 2025
The reactions kept pouring in as the decision to let go of the five-time All-Star for AD and just one first-rounder was unfathomable to others, especially after names like Rudy Gobert and Mikal Bridges drew four to five picks apiece.
“How do you trade the best player in the league at 25 years old… for one first and a fossil.”
How do you trade the best player in the league at 25 years old… for one first and a fossil
— Matthew (@YankeesClipper) February 2, 2025
For some, the sheer magnitude of the move meant asking one question, “Is this the biggest trade in NBA history???” However, every fan under the sun was ready to admit one fact.
“This is easily the worst trade of a superstar in history.”
This is easily the worst trade of a superstar in history. They gave him away.. they could have been set for a rebuild if they'd been patient. What was the rush? Why they doing the lakers a favor?
— DePropaganda Panda (@DePropaPanda) February 2, 2025
But for others, the shock still hadn’t set in. Kenny Beecham, one of the biggest NBA YouTubers on the planet, couldn’t wrap his mind around it.
“SHAMS. POST A VIDEO SAYING IT. I DONT BELIEVE YOU.”
SHAMS. POST A VIDEO SAYING IT. I DONT BELIEVE YOU
— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) February 2, 2025
Just a few hours before Charania broke the world, fans expected a different kind of disappointment when John Cena lost his final ever Royal Rumble in an upset victory for Jey Uso in the first stage of his retirement tour.
One fan had a gold tweet, “Somewhere out there there’s a John Cena and Dallas Mavericks fan about to end their life right now.”
Considering Doncic’s résumé in Dallas, the move kept making less and less sense.
“73-point game. WCF MVP. Rookie of the Year. Finals appearance. Scoring champion. Highest PPG in Mavs history. Loved the city. Only here for six years and already the second-greatest Maverick ever. Make this trade make sense…?”
For some, the move felt like something Dallas Cowboys GM Jerry Jones would do. For others, it was the proverbial straw that broke their Mavs fandom.
“I’ve been a Mavs fan my entire 31 years of life, and after that trade, I’m not sure I can be anymore. @luka7doncic was the face and future of that franchise. WTF is the Mavs organization thinking?”
I’ve been a Mavs fan my entire 31 years of life and after that trade, I’m not sure I can be anymore. @luka7doncic was the face and future of that franchise. WTF is the Mavs organization thinking? #MFFL @Mavs_FFL @All_Things_Mavs @MavsMuse @dallasmavs
— Zane (@zaneseth82) February 2, 2025
The most shocking NBA trade perhaps of the last decade itself, and the trade deadline is still a week away. A new era is set to begin in both LA and Dallas. Let’s see who walks out as the winner of the trade.