The Luka Dončić trade to the Los Angeles Lakers essentially broke the internet — there’s been a lot of chatter about the different standards teams and players are held to. Both Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke at length about how the perception had to change around players.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has set the league on fire with one of the greatest seasons by a running back in NFL history. However, his tenure with the Eagles came off of a horribly mismanaged situation by the New York Giants. As a result, Barkley had some thoughts about the situation.
Saquon Barkley Talks About the Luka Dončić Trade
Ahead of Super Bowl 59, the festivities were in full swing in New Orleans as both teams sat down for open media sessions. When it was Barkley’s turn, he was asked about the league-breaking NBA trade.
“I kind of was shocked by that one. I think everyone in the sports world was shocked by that. But, sports is a crazy business and I think Luka and AD is going to make the most of it.” The exact details of the trade see the Slovenian, alongside Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick.
Saquon reacts to the Luka-AD trade 👀 pic.twitter.com/HQBdj9xZ7E
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 4, 2025
Prior to last season, it was Barkley who found himself on the outs with his franchise. After an electric run in New York that was somewhat hampered by injuries, the Giants decided to not match the offer Barkley received in free agency.
It led to his union with the Eagles and a season where he defied all expectations. Not only did he become the ninth player ever to rush for over 2,000 yards, he had 2,005 rushing yards on the season before the final game was played. If Philly did not rest its starters in Week 18, there was a decent chance that he could have broken Eric Dickerson’s single-season record.
However, with goals of a Super Bowl in mind, the MVP finalist has been sensational in the playoffs as well. So far, he’s tallied 118 or more yards in all three playoff games, including 205 yards and two touchdowns in a snow-filled contest against the Los Angeles Rams.
He now stands just 30 yards shy of breaking Terrell Davis’ record for most total rushing yards in a season at 2,476.
The Mavericks, who willingly parted ways with a five-time first-team All-NBA superstar with multiple top-three MVP finishes to his name before he turned 26, have to hope it doesn’t come back to bite them in a similar way.