Is this for real? Is this happening? These are the questions that the NBA community has now taken to asking, as a recent update by Shams Charania has sent everyone into a spiral. ESPN is now reporting that the Dallas Mavericks are now trading Luka Doncic. Yes, LUKA DONCIC, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris for Anthony Davis! If the report is true, then this will not only be the most significant trade prior to the upcoming trade deadline, but also amongst the most shocking of the last few years. This is why not only analysts, but several NBA stars are questioning its validity.

Amongst the first people to immediately take to X to share his disbelief was Tyrese Haliburton. The Indiana Pacers star wrote, “Shams got hacked?” After all, that would be the most logical explanation. 2 minutes later, Jalen Brunson went ahead and wrote “April fools right?” People were complaining about January going too slow, but skipping a few months is just too drastic. Meanwhile, CJ McCollum was not waiting around to confirm whether the news was correct or not. He instead highlighted the plight that a sudden trade deal can bring by writing “Gotta pack them bags just in case now a days . If the Don got traded only lord knows”.

“Huh?????” and “HUHH!!!!” was vs vocal as Josh Hart and Tyrese Maxey could go in their reaction. Meanwhile, even Joel Embiid was brought out of his recent break from posting to X to write “WOWWWWW NO F WAY”. Bam Adebayo said, “Did somebody steal shams phone??”

All of these are scenarios that the players may be hoping would be the reality. After all, for the Dallas Mavericks to trade their star player, and for the Lakers to cut ties with LeBron James’ right-hand man without any prior warning, would change the dimensions of the modern NBA. Klay Thompson’s shift from the Golden State Warriors to the Dallas Mavericks would be peanuts in comparison to this.

Unfortunately, it seems that the trade news is official. Even Shams Charania’s ESPN colleagues have now voiced their opinions on the trade. Renowned sportscaster Stephen A. Smith wasn’t in the studio when the news was broken. However, he did call in as a segment of SportsCenter was running live. Without wasting a moment, Smith said, “I’m shocked. I’m shocked like most, if not the entire basketball world world appears to be. It’s not something that you would have ever anticipated. Primarily from the Dallas Mavericks. Luka Doncic is a global star”.

Well, that global star belief is what may have convinced the Lakers to give a good enough deal to the Mavericks to part ways with Luka Doncic. As the story progresses, the reactions from some of the central people who would be most affected by this trade are starting to come in.

Highlighting the reactions of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Luka Doncic, Shams Charania dives further into shocking trade

Shams Charania squashed the ‘phone hack’ rumors when he appeared on SportsCenter to discuss the trade. He confirmed its validity and revealed that “LeBron James had no idea this was coming. Anthony Davis had no idea this was coming. I’m sure Luka Doncic is still stunned about this trade.” It was no secret that the Lakers had to eventually figure out some things once LeBron James officially retired. However, the evidence was pointing to the fact that the team would be formed around Anthony Davis after their lead scorer’s NBA exit. Instead, the Lakers’ front office became compelled to make a strong enough sacrifice to secure a star player who could be the Lakers’ face for over a decade and a half. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis would fulfill one crucial need for the Dallas Mavericks: Defense.

“He’s (Luka) someone that you think of as untouchable, as a guy that’s never gonna be traded. I’m told that the Mavericks actually approached the Lakers and offered Luka Doncic a few days ago in a trade. Very recently, the Mavericks went out. They knew exactly who they wanted. They wanted Anthony Davis” Charania said. “That’s the player that if they were ever gonna trade Luka Doncic if this was even a thought that was gonna cross their mind, it was for AD. And so the Mavericks called the Lakers, offered Luka Doncic, and that’s when the Lakers had to huddle internally. They’ve never offered Anthony Davis ever in a trade.”

Mark today’s date, readers. Years from now, the recent events would be looked upon as one of the most transformative in NBA trade history. Or, they may be considered as the ones that turned out to be a blunder for both sides. While you have heard the thoughts of the other NBA players, what is your opinion on this ongoing situation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.