Report: LeBron, Luka, Anthony Davis Weren’t Informed About Lakers, Mavs’ 3-Team Trade
The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks pulled off one of the most shocking trades in NBA history late Saturday night.
It was so shocking that even the players themselves were reportedly “stunned.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the Lakers acquired Luka Dončić in a deal that included Anthony Davis going to the Mavericks. Charania then appeared on SportsCenter and said, “I’m told Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, the players, coaches, a lot of people on both sides of the Mavericks and Lakers, had no idea. … I’m told Luka Dončić is still stunned about this trade.”
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin added to that report, noting James was out to dinner with his family when news of the trade broke and did not know it was coming.
The players were far from the only ones surprised.
In fact, many NBA fans thought Charania’s social media account had been hacked given the timing and the complete unexpectedness of the breaking news. He even seemed to poke fun at the situation himself when he posted, “It’s 1000% real.”
It’s 1000% real: pic.twitter.com/ncNjpN37gU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
The fallout of the shocking news is sure to shape the Western Conference playoff race, but both players have to get healthy first.
Dončić has been out since Christmas Day with a calf injury, although ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported he hopes to make his debut for the Lakers ahead of the All-Star break. Davis missed the last two Lakers’ games with an abdominal strain.
If they are both back in time, the Feb. 25 clash between the Mavericks and Lakers will be appointment viewing as they each go against their former teams.
It is notable reports indicate James in particular was unaware of the deal until it happened, as there is a notion among some NBA fans that he is often involved in personnel decisions whenever he is on a team.
The King himself even pushed back at a report suggesting he was frustrated with Davis ahead of the move:
You a fkn lie!!! 🤥🤡 https://t.co/EYNRUbUFmj
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 2, 2025
Once the shock wears off, he and the rest of the Lakers will have to quickly adjust to playing alongside Dončić. The five-time All-Star and James are both ball-dominant playmakers, so one of them will likely have to play off the ball more than he already does.
But once that adjustment happens, it will be arguably the most talented one-two punch in the league.
