LeBron James shared a stunningly awkward moment when he first learned that his good friend and teammate Anthony Davis had been traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks.
Imagine being out to dinner with your family when the phone rings and your favorite teammate confirms that, yes, he has indeed been traded. Davis FaceTimed James while he was enjoying a meal in New York City to let him know that the rumors were true.
Davis was sent packing to Dallas in a three-team deal that netted the Lakers Luka Dončić ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
LeBron James Chatted With Anthony Davis Over FaceTime
James attempted to set the scene during a free-flowing conversation with reporters in the locker room following the Lakers’ 122-97 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Here is what the four-time MVP said (via Tomer Azarly):
“Saturday night. My emotions were all over the place. We just came off a big win. I was out with my family, got the news, and the first time I heard it, I thought it was for sure fake…
“But when AD FaceTimed me, talked to him for quite a while, and even when I got off the phone, it didn’t seem real. It didn’t seem real until I saw Luka today, and I saw the clip of AD at the Dallas shootaround. That’s when it finally hit me.”
LeBron James on when he found out about the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade:
“Saturday night. My emotions were all over the place. We just came off a big win. I was out with my family, got the news, and the first time I heard it, I thought it was for sure fake… But when AD… pic.twitter.com/Pwo49oaV0k
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 5, 2025
At the urging of James, the Lakers acquired Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans in November 2019 in a trade that broke the bank. Los Angeles surrendered what amounted to a small fortune at the time: Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, plus the No. 4 overall selection in that year’s draft.
James on Davis: ‘Became Brothers’
James and Davis established a strong bond during their time as teammates. They made four playoff appearances during their six seasons together, hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy as world champions in 2020.
The Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in six games at the 2020 NBA Finals played in the Orlando bubble due to COVID-19 restrictions. James was named Finals MVP for the fourth time in his career, averaging nearly a triple-double per game: 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists.
LeBron James reflects on his “special” relationship with Anthony Davis that went beyond a teammate dynamic pic.twitter.com/f7SuuPCdUG
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 5, 2025
Davis was sensational on offense and defense during that championship run. He averaged 25.0 points and 10.7 rebounds per game against Miami. The bonds of brotherhood grew deep.
“It was everything and more. Literally became brothers over the last five-and-a-half years,” James said of his relationship with Davis, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “What we were able to accomplish on the floor, obviously, that goes without saying, but more importantly, what we was able to accomplish off the floor.
“Us growing together, knowing each other’s families, seeing each other grow. Seeing each other’s kids grow. It’s pretty, pretty unique. Obviously, I was at his wedding when he got married. It’s been special. Real special, for sure.”
Bronny James Nets First Bucket at Madison Square Garden
James was extra emotional on the night he learned of the Davis for Dončić swap. That’s because the future Hall of Famer had just witnessed his son, Bronny James, score a basket at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden when he swished a three-pointer in the closing minutes.
BRONNY JAMES FIRST MADE NBA THREE 🔥
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) February 5, 2025
It marked Bronny’s first career triple and his first bucket at Madison Square Garden.
LeBron has enjoyed some magical performances at the “World’s Most Famous Arena.” He holds a 23-9 record, averaging 28.0 points, 7.4 assists, and 6.9 rebounds per game there, so the moment was extra special to him.
The older James posted a stirring tribute to his wife, Savannah, on Instagram in celebration of everything the family has accomplished over the years.
