Players And Fans React To Blockbuster Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis Trade

It is a well-known fact that anything can happen in the NBA when it comes to player trades, but no one would have seen the three-team trade involving the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Utah Jazz, resulting in Luka Doncic moving to LA and Anthony Davis to Dallas happening.

As news of the blockbuster trade filtered in, many fans and basketballers believed it was fake news, but it was soon confirmed as true, sending the NBA and sports worlds into a state of shock.

Many fans and players have reacted to the trade, which reminds everyone of the unpredictable nature of the NBA when player trades are concerned.

In the early hours of Sunday, February 2, ESPN's senior NBA insider Shams Charania announced shocking breaking news via a post on X.

He shared, "BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Three-team deal that includes Utah."

He gave more details of the trade in the posts that followed, revealing that the Dallas Mavericks initiated the trade after approaching the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, offering Luka Doncic in return.

Charania also revealed that the deal "materialized in the shadows." He also shared that neither Davis nor his Lakers teammate knew about the trade before it happened, and that Doncic was "stunned" about it.

In addition to Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris also joined the Lakers, while Dallas received Davis, Max Christie, and the Lakers' 2029 first-round pick.

Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz acquired Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Los Angeles Clippers' 2025 second-round pick, and the Mavericks' 2025 second-round pick.

Mavericks' general manager Nico Harrison told ESPN's Tim Macmahon about the motivation for the deal, highlighting the franchise's need for a better defense.

He said, "I believe that defense wins championships. I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We're built to win now and in the future."

Sources also told the outlet that the Mavericks wanted to get rid of Doncic due to his constant conditioning concerns and lack of discipline, which frustrated the franchise.

Meanwhile, the Lakers' office, ownership group, and coaching staff reportedly agreed to the deal, sharing excitement about having a young superstar in their hands while recognizing that huge gains required huge losses in the NBA.

News of the Doncic-Davis trade broke amid the Phoenix Sun's game against the Portland Trailblazers. Hence, reporters were able to get some players' reactions to it.

Suns' guard Devin Booker revealed that he heard about the trade from someone in the stands. He shared his reaction, saying, "They said Luka. I said, Luka Garza," in reference to Minnesota Timberwolves' center.

A shocked Booker added, "It's crazy, man. I really don't know what to say about it. Luka being a guy that everybody has claimed is untouchable and untradeable. The NBA shows you again. Can't predict. It's a business. They're always having a conversation about you. So don't think you're safer than you are."

Booker's teammate Kevin Durant reflected on the trade, saying, "Insane. It's crazy. Crazy. Damn, I would have never thought Luka Doncic would get traded. At his age, midseason, the NBA is a wild place, man. If he can get traded, then anybody is up for grabs."

More players reacted to the trade news on social media, sharing their shock as things developed. Cleveland Cavaliers' center, Tristan Thompson, believed there was something more to the trade. He wrote on X, "Luka getting traded from Dallas has to have a deeper story behind it. This just doesn't happen on a random Saturday night."

New York Knicks' guard Jalen Brunson wondered if the trade news was a joke. He asked, "April fools right?" Meanwhile, Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton believed Charania's X account was hacked. He asked, "Shams got hacked?" His reaction was similar to Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, who asked, "Did someone steal Sham phone??"

Josh Hart posted, "Huh?????" in reaction to the trade news, which probably summed up how many others felt.

New Orleans' guard CJ McCollum had a comical reaction to the trade news. After learning it was real and happening, he posted, "Gotta pack them bags just in case nowadays. If the Don got traded only lord knows."

Meanwhile, Philadelphia 76ers' star Joel Embiid reacted, "WOWWWWW NO F WAY," while his teammate, Tyrese Maxey, shared, "HUH!!!!"

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro asked, "wtf?????" while Giannis Antetokounmpo reacted with freezing face and Earth emojis.

Many fans reacted to the trade news under Charania's post, sharing their disbelief at the unexpected turn of events.

One fan believed the Mavericks sanctioned the trade either because Doncic wanted it or had injury troubles. They wrote, "Luka either demanded a trade or his knee is absolutely cooked, the Mavs wouldn't have traded him in any other situation."

A bewildered fan asked, "I still don’t believe this. What are the Mavs thinking about? Trading Luka for a 31-year-old injury-prone AD?

Another shocked fan shared, "Let me get this straight, the Mavericks traded a bright young star that can carry their franchise for the next 20 years... for a 31 year old Anthony Davis."

One person described the trade as "the single most stunning trade in NBA history. Shocking."

Meanwhile, a Lakers fan added, "As a Lakers fan it pains me to say goodbye to a player that I have always defended as AD but I imagine Doncic playing with LeBron and I get excited, excellent trade."

More reactions are expected from fans, sports analysts, and former and present NBA players in the coming days as everyone digests the shocking trade.