NBA Universe Explodes With Reactions To Luka Dončić Trade
Feb 1, 2025, 11:02 PM

SALT LAKE CITY – According to multiple reports, NBA superstar Luka Dončić is headed to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal. Anthony Davis heads to Dallas days after recently expressing his desire for reinforcements with the media.
ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the deal on Saturday, February 1. The trade comes five days before the February 6 NBA trade deadline and sends shockwaves around the league.
Yes, this is real. Sources tell ESPN: Full trade:
– Lakers: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
– Mavericks: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LAL 1st
– Jazz: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Clippers 2nd, 2025 Mavericks 2nd https://t.co/bltojdTaQj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
Perhaps one of the most impactful trades in league history, Dončić will join LeBron James as the Lakers push toward a title. The seven-year NBA vet has earned All-NBA five times and led the Dallas Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals.
A five-time All-NBA power forward and 2020 NBA champion with Los Angeles, Davis heads to the third team of his career after being drafted No. 1 overall by New Orleans in 2011.
The Mavericks approached the Lakers recently and offered Luka Doncic, sources tell ESPN. Lakers brass met and believed the 25-year-old Doncic has the ability to be the face of their franchise for the next decade while giving Anthony Davis a win-now move in Dallas.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
Striking while the iron was hot, the Utah Jazz got involved, making their second trade of the day. Hours after shipping Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills to the Clippers, Utah picked up two second-round picks and a change of scenery candidate in 2023 first-round pick Jalen Hood-Schifino.
The former Indiana Hoosier has played 23 games since being the 17th pick by the Lakers in 2024. Hood-Schifino went one pick after the Jazz took Keyonte George.
NBA world reacts to Luka Dončić-Anthony Davis trade
The Mavs had major concerns about moving forward with Luka Doncic due to his constant conditioning issues and the looming commitment of another supermax contract extension this summer, sources told ESPN.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 2, 2025
It’s bad enough the Mavs dealt Luka for AD straight up; it’s even worse that they didn’t get a huge draft haul, like 4-5 picks MINIMUM. Total crazypants. https://t.co/jlNLXDdMcR
— Matt Zemek (@MattZemek) February 2, 2025
How you help the Lakers get their post LeBron star? That’s unforgivable.
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) February 2, 2025
Trading away a 25-year old superstar fresh off an NBA Finals appearance… pic.twitter.com/uY0YzXaP9I
— Nate Dowdle (@NateDowdle) February 2, 2025
LUKA DONCIC IS A LOS ANGELES LAKER!!! pic.twitter.com/5sPV53v2EU
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) February 2, 2025
Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis might be the most insane trade in sports history
— GothamChess (@GothamChess) February 2, 2025
Luka Dončić did NOT request a trade, league sources tell @TheSteinLine.
The Mavericks did this on their own accord, getting back Anthony Davis but only one future first-round pick from the Lakers in 2029 for a 25-year-old regarded as a future MVP.
More NBA from me;… https://t.co/zL5E08wroD
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 2, 2025
Wrapping my head around this with everyone else but the biggest thing to know is the Lakers have been led by generational superstars throughout their history and this was an opportunity too good for them to pass up after the Mavericks called. Also worth noting Mavs GM Nico… https://t.co/2thIofJBst
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 2, 2025
LA benefits in each case: https://t.co/VEQ5sm4dWb
— Matt Zemek (@MattZemek) February 2, 2025
The Jazz made a trade that involved Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis and ended up with only Jalen Hood-Schifino. Big game hunting baby.
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) February 2, 2025
Luka finally gets to play with his idol, LeBron 👏 pic.twitter.com/HAoVJOJk5U
— ESPN (@espn) February 2, 2025
Luka was about to become the highest paid player in NBA history this summer – Looks like the Mavs decided they couldn’t count on him, likely had concerns about him breaking down- was always hard to deal with. But damn. Mavs eventually can play Lively at the 5 and AD at the 4.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 2, 2025
If Luka was almost 32 and AD was 25, the lack of future returns for DAL would be so much more understandable … but of course, that’s not the case.
AD turns 32 next month. Luka is 25… and DAL gets nearly zero future pieces. https://t.co/Wl7Q9n4pYg
— Matt Zemek (@MattZemek) February 2, 2025
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) February 2, 2025
Am I dreaming? https://t.co/08BBIA3jvn
— Puka Nacua (@AsapPuka) February 2, 2025
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