Like the rest of the NBA world, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was surprised to learn that his team shockingly traded Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic.
In a three-team trade also involving the Utah Jazz, the Mavericks are sending Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick.
Shortly before the trade, James had just wrapped up another vintage performance for the Lakers, recording a triple-double in their win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, his favorite road venue. Following the game, James was out to dinner with his family when he learned that the trade took place. Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported that James was "surprised" by the trade and currently processing the news.
James reportedly did not have any knowledge that this trade was in the works.
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
ESPN's Shams Charania, who first reported the shocking trade, reported later in the evening that James, Davis, and Doncic did not know this trade was coming. Charania said that the Mavericks reportedly approached the Lakers about trading Doncic for Davis several days ago. The Lakers never planned to trade Davis, but those plans changed when they were offered the chance to add Doncic to the franchise.
“This deal materialized in the shadows. This came out of nowhere," Charania said on ESPN. "... 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.”
“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
The Mavericks reportedly had concerns about Doncic's conditioning and a supermax contract extension this summer, leading them to pursue a trade of their superstar.
The trade marks the end of an era between James and Davis in Los Angeles. Davis was originally traded to the Lakers one year after James signed with the team in free agency, and the two superstars have been the cornerstones of the franchise over the last five and a half seasons.
Together, Davis and James led the Lakers to four postseason appearances and an NBA championship in 2020. Over their time in Los Angeles together, the pair developed what Davis called in 2023 "one of the best relationships in the NBA" between duos in the league.
Now James will team up with Doncic, the 25-year-old superstar coming off his first NBA Finals appearance last summer. Doncic has previously called James his "idol," and will now get the opportunity to play alongside James for the foreseeable future.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic Reportedly All Stunned By Lakers-Mavericks Trade.
