'The Most Shocking Trade in NBA History': Reactions to Luka Dončić Joining the Lakers
The NBA world was rocked on February 1, 2025, when the Dallas Mavericks traded 25-year-old generational superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in a historic three-team deal involving the Utah Jazz. The blockbuster—widely dubbed "the most shocking trade in NBA history”—sends five-time All-NBA First Teamer Dončić to L.A. alongside Mavericks role players Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. In return, Dallas acquires eight-time All-Star Anthony Davis, young guard Max Christie, and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick, while Utah lands Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round selections.
The move comes less than eight months after Dončić led Dallas to the 2024 NBA Finals, with the Mavericks reportedly motivated by concerns about his long-term health, conditioning, and defense ahead of offering him a $345 million supermax extension. For the Lakers, the trade pairs Dončić with LeBron James (40) in an unprecedented generational handoff, positioning the Slovenian phenom as the franchise’s new cornerstone.
The trade has sent shockwaves throughout the NBA, with players, executives, and analysts alike scrambling to process the magnitude of the deal. From disbelief to sharp criticism, reactions have poured in from every corner of the basketball world, underscoring just how unprecedented and polarizing this move truly is.
“If he can get traded then anybody’s up, you know? Gotta be the biggest trade since I’ve been in the league—since I’ve been watching the sport.This is insane. Every other team might get confidence and say, ‘F— it, I’ll trade my top players, a few of my top players.’ I’m still shocked.” —Kevin Durant
"But I think that exactly this secrecy, or should I say from some individuals, maybe even hypocrisy, this hurts me personally. Because I think that Luka absolutely doesn't deserve this." —Sasa Doncic, Luka’s Dad
“This is the most shocking trade in NBA history.” —ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins
“That makes two of us [who are confused about this trade]” —Former Mavs majority owner Mark Cuban via text to Chandler Parsons
“What [the Mavericks] are basically saying [to Luka] is: ‘We don’t think you’re worth the money.’ It’s shocking.” —ESPN's Brian Windhorst
“The return sucks. Your job is to get the best return.” —Anonymous Western Conference team executive to The Ringer’s Howard Beck
“That trade just don’t make sense to me. … Obviously the Lakers know. Our franchise is [in] Luka’s hands now. Like, Bron, you’re done. You’re on your way out, we’re going to build around Luka. And he understand that—he’s 40 years old.” —Jeff Teague, 520 in the Morning podcast
“We definitely understand the magnitude of what just transpired. It’s not lost on us. We would like to thank Luka for his brilliance.” —Mavericks GM Nico Harrison
“I don’t think Luka and LeBron can play together. That’s my personal opinion. Because neither one of them can play without the ball. That’s going to be very fascinating.” —Charles Barkley
“Just like everyone else, I thought it was AI-generated. Then I found out it was real. That’s about it. It’s just a shocking trade. You don’t see it.” —Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers
“You know what I want? I want Luka to the Lakers, I want Jokic to the Knicks. I want all the Europeans to go to all the big markets to see something incredible. This is what I want. This is my dream.” —Giannis Antetokounmpo
“You’re telling me Brooklyn wouldn’t have given up every pick they have, Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton? I think it’s irresponsible the way [the Mavericks] acted.” —Anonymous Eastern Conference executive to The Ringer’s Howard Beck
“WOWWWWW NO F WAY” —Joel Embiid, 76ers center
“Honestly, I can’t believe it. I think this is the craziest trade in NBA history. Unbelievable.” —Kristaps Porzingis, Celtics big
“Yoo wtf goin on in Dallas?” —Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys edge rusher