ESPN's Shams Charania nearly broke the internet, when he sent out the tweet that Luka Doncic was being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.
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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.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
That is, the idea of this seemed so mind-boggling, fans thought the NBA insider's account had been compromised.
As one user on X wrote, "Bro I had to check 10 times to see if this was the real account wtf."
Even NBA players thought it was fake, as one minute after the breaking news dropped, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Halliburton tweeted out, "Shams got hacked?"
Shams got hacked?
— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) February 2, 2025
Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo expressed the same concern upon seeing the Luka/AD trade notification.
Did somebody steal shams phone??
— 13am Adebayo (@Bam1of1) February 2, 2025
2x MVP Joel Embiid couldn't believe it either.
WOWWWWW NO F WAY
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) February 2, 2025
Some even had to check the calendar to see what day it was, as New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson asked, "April fools, right?"
April fools right?
— Jalen Brunson (@jalenbrunson1) February 2, 2025
Generational fumble pic.twitter.com/PYDfWXOz98
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) February 2, 2025
Other players, such as New Orleans Pelicans' CJ McCollum, reacted while referring to how the NBA is a business.
Gotta pack them bags just in case now a days . If the Don got traded only lord knows
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) February 2, 2025
Undoubtedly, this blockbuster trade reminds those around the league that "no one is safe."
Even NFL players, such as Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons and 3x Super Bowl winning QB Patrick Mahomes (a self-proclaimed Mavs fan), expressed their astonishment over the trade.
Yoo wtf going on in Dallas?
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) February 2, 2025
I’m sick rn…. https://t.co/IGiojb3OXT
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) February 2, 2025
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said that players were reaching out to him soon after the trade of the century went down.
"I had a current NBA All-Star text me and say, 'Do you know how much the Mavericks must hate Luka?'"
“I had a current NBA All-Star text me and say, ‘Do you know how much the Mavericks must hate Luka?’”
–@WindhorstESPN on how the league is reacting to the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade pic.twitter.com/Z1afOJQm17
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 2, 2025
On NBA TV, former NBA players Greg Anthony and Quentin Richardson spoke on it being the craziest trade they've ever seen since being around the league.
"I can't remember in my NBA life a trade this shocking" 🤯@GregAnthony50, @laurenjbara & @QRich react to the MASSIVE Luka Dončić & Anthony Davis trade on GameTime 🍿 pic.twitter.com/tICZ6WfepM
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 2, 2025
Phoenix Suns players, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, spoke to media about the whole situation following their loss vs. the Portland Trailblazers on Saturday night, as the trade was announced in the middle of their game.
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal react to the Luka Doncic - Anthony Davis trade pic.twitter.com/toZk8IItEW
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) February 2, 2025
Devin Booker’s reaction to the trade in the middle of the game…His reaction is all of us. 🤯
(via @mikeyduran)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 2, 2025
"Insane. It's crazy, crazy."
Kevin Durant on mega Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade.
"Players are held to a different standard of loyalty and commitment to a program but the organizations don't get held to that same standard from the outside."
On teams following suit before Feb.… pic.twitter.com/DekP4eRN6N
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 2, 2025
"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."
Devin Booker on colossal Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade.
"It's a business. They're always having a conversation… pic.twitter.com/p2DdVR7u3N
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 2, 2025
The news even reached the airwaves of non-NBA broadcasted events, as the announcers of men's college basketball games were shook upon hearing who had been traded.
Love this. The broadcasters for Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s were just told about the Anthony Davis - Luka Doncic trade. Even they don’t believe it. pic.twitter.com/mpIfF5F7yl
— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) February 2, 2025
Not only was this one of the most insane trades in sports history, evidently there was no warning given to the superstar players, as both Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis were stunned to find out they were headed to a new team (per Shams Charania).
“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
😳
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) February 2, 2025
