LeBron Shocked by Lakers Trading AD, Excited to Team with Luka/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ LeBron James admitted he was in disbelief for two days after the Lakers traded Anthony Davis to the Mavericks. While processing the shocking move, James expressed excitement about teaming up with Luka Doncic, calling him “my favorite player in the NBA.” The trade, one of the biggest in league history, has ignited debate over whether James and Doncic can thrive together.
LeBron Reacts to AD Trade: Quick Looks
- LeBron in Shock: James thought the trade was a hoax until seeing AD in a Mavericks uniform.
- New Era in LA: LeBron welcomes Luka Doncic, calling him his favorite player.
- NBA Trade Deadline Fallout: The move shakes up the Western Conference ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
- Coaches Confident: JJ Redick and Tyronn Lue believe James and Doncic will thrive together.
- Teammates Feel the Loss: Lakers players, including Austin Reaves, admit Davis’ departure hit them hard.
LeBron Shocked by Lakers Trading AD, Excited to Team with Luka
Deep Look
The Los Angeles Lakers’ blockbuster trade sending Anthony Davis and Max Christie to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris has sent shockwaves through the NBA.
While the move left LeBron James stunned, the four-time champion embraced the challenge of playing alongside Doncic, whom he has long admired.
LeBron’s Initial Reaction: ‘I Thought It Was Fake’
Speaking after the Lakers’ dominant win over the Clippers, James admitted that the trade caught him completely off guard.
“My emotions were all over the place,” James said. “The first time I heard it, I thought it was for sure fake. I thought it was a hoax.”
James was at dinner with his family in New York when news broke. Even after a FaceTime call with Davis, he still struggled to believe it.
“It didn’t seem real until I saw Luka today, and then I saw the clip of AD at the Dallas shootaround,” James added. “That’s when it finally hit me—this is real.”
A New Partnership with Luka Doncic
Despite his initial shock, James is excited to team up with Doncic, the 25-year-old superstar who has already established himself as one of the best players in the league.
“Luka has been my favorite player in the NBA for a while now,” James revealed. “I’ve always just tried to play the game the right way and inspire the next generation, and Luka happens to be one of them. Now we’re teammates. So it’ll be a very seamless transition.”
Doncic, who formally joined the Lakers on Tuesday, is equally excited about the opportunity. The Slovenian star grew up idolizing James and now gets to share the court with him in one of the most storied franchises in NBA history.
Will LeBron and Luka Work Together? Coaches Weigh In
However, head coaches JJ Redick and Tyronn Lue—both familiar with LeBron’s game—are confident the pairing will be successful.
Lue, who coached James to an NBA title in Cleveland, dismissed concerns from critics like Charles Barkley and Paul Pierce.
“They’re not right,” Lue said. “LeBron can play with anybody. He and Luka will figure it out.”
He compared the situation to when James and Kyrie Irving won a championship together in Cleveland, noting that staggered rotations and strategic playcalling will maximize their chemistry.
“It’s not a tough problem to have, I’ll tell you that,” Lue added.
Lakers Locker Room Adjusts to the Change
Beyond LeBron, other Lakers players are struggling to process Davis’ departure.
Austin Reaves, who spent four seasons alongside Davis, admitted that the last couple of days have been emotionally tough.
“I feel like I had an empty pit in my stomach,” Reaves said. “You create real relationships and bonds, and out of nowhere, they’re on a different team.”
Despite the emotions, the Lakers remain focused on the bigger picture—contending for a championship.
Doncic’s Arrival Sparks Buzz Across Los Angeles
Luka’s move to the Lakers isn’t just making headlines in basketball circles—it’s generating excitement across Los Angeles sports.
Anze Kopitar, captain of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, praised the move, acknowledging Doncic’s status as one of the most famous Slovenian athletes in the world.
“He’s obviously a superstar around the world, not just in Slovenia,” Kopitar said. “It’s nice to have him here.”
What’s Next for the Lakers?
With the NBA trade deadline looming, the Lakers may not be done making moves. The Western Conference playoff race is wide open, and LA’s new-look roster will be tested immediately.
The biggest question: Can LeBron James and Luka Doncic lead the Lakers to another championship?
For now, one thing is certain—James is all in on his new superstar teammate.
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