Sporting trades can be very unpredictable. And they might occasionally trigger events well outside their respective realms. Do you want an example? Well, an expected NBA trade has gone viral. And it has comparisons being drawn to Olympic track star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. But how did a deal between NBA superstars lead to one of track and field’s biggest names being used in the conversation?

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has solidified herself as one of track and field’s most dominant athletes. With four Olympic gold medals and six world records in the 400m hurdles since 2020, she has shown her unmatched standing in the sport. And with the Paris 2024 Olympics bringing her astounding success with gold medals in 400m hurdles along with the 4×400m relay, she has become a paragon of excellence for the sport. But with a résumé like this, how did Sydney find herself unexpectedly linked to this?

Well, this all stems from a hilarious tweet that surfaced on the internet in the early hours of February 2. A tweet by Citius Mag humorously suggested, “USA Track and Field has traded Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone to Jamaica for Yohan Blake and their 2029 U20 100m champion.” While a joke, it highlighted how unexpected the situation was. And what’s this situation, you ask?

Well, in the early hours of February 2nd, the Los Angeles Lakers took a huge trade with the Dallas Mavericks. The NBA community is shocked as well by the Lakers’ decision to trade the 2020 Finals MVP Anthony Davis. And the man taking his place is none other than one of the best players in the scene right now, Luka Doncic. Max Christie also joins Davis from the Yellow and Purple side to take their new home in Dallas. while Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris are exchanged from the Mavericks’ side.

The Utah Jazz also got involved in all this. The trade was so unexpected that some fans initially thought ESPN’s Shams Charania was hacked. Even LeBron James—often considered the Lakers’ behind-the-scenes decision-maker—was out at dinner, unaware of this. So if even King James didn’t know, it’s easy to assume no one else would know. But at just 25, Luka had earned five NBA First Team selections and shown no interest in being traded from Dallas. But it is shocking for LA as well since Davis helped them win the 2020 NBA Finals.

The Mavericks took the lead in starting this trade. It was to reconstruct their team structure around Davis while adding defensive capabilities through their roster. Many questioned the use of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s name in the comparison, fueling the debate.

The mixed reactions to an unusual comparison with Sydney

The comparison between Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and an NBA trade left many fans scratching their heads. One fan highlighted, “Nah, current Yohan Blake is such a disservice to current Anthony Davis!” The comparison was too far-reaching for fans who expected more logical trades. Anthony Davis established himself as an elite basketball big man through a dominant performance.

It led the Los Angeles Lakers to their 2020 NBA Championship. On the other hand, Yohan Blake achieved fame for holding the record for the fastest sprinting abilities in history. The achievements of Yohan Blake involve securing a World Championship 100m gold medal in 2011 and establishing a 100m national junior record.

The comparison between these top athletes who compete in separate fields caused additional uncertainties. One fan wrote, “You can’t even use Sydney!! Luka, as good as he is, isn’t a champion. Sydney is well-accomplished.” Another argued, “You can’t just use Syd’s name for the sake of it; there’s no relation here.” There is a difference in both athletes’ journeys.

Another fan said, “Man, there is just no comparison between Sydney and Luka.” While Dončić has earned five NBA All-Star selections, he has yet to secure an NBA championship. On the other hand, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has already cemented her legacy. She is one of the most accomplished athletes on track.

For all those frustrated by the comparison, one fan made a compelling point. “For all those people angry, the comment shows the outrageous nature of the trade guys. Like none of us saw it coming.” There was shock and disbelief that surrounded the trade, as no one had predicted such a move. Can a trade of two NBA superstars stand in comparison to track and field legends’ achievements? And how will this trade affect the teams and the players? What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.