LeBron James Had Thought Trade Injured Doncic-Anthony Davis Hoax

LeBron James was shocked by the exchange of Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis (Instagram/@kingjames).

JAKARTA - When LeBron James left the first quarter in the LA Lakers vs LA Clippers match which ended with a score of 122-97 on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, morning WIB, he walked towards his usual seat at the end of the Lakers bench.

There is a new superstar team-mate sitting next to him, in a place Anthony Davis has visited for years.

Luka Doncic came to the LA Lakers last weekend in a trade that sent a shockwave in the NBA.

Only now--after initially believing that the three-team trade between the Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and the Utah Jazz is a hoax and after processing the absence of Davis by his side after six seasons as a teammate--in fact is finally starting to appear to James.

"It still didn't feel real until I saw Luka today. I saw Davis' clip in Dallas shooting practice."

"That's when I finally realized, like, this is real," said James after the game.

The fact that James made his first public comments about trading in the Lakers' dressing room in Intuit Dome, the 40-year-old veteran, explains his proof of acceptance of it.

"If I'm worried about that, I'll ignore my trade ban clauses and get out of here."

"I'm here now. I'm here now. I'm committed to the Lakers. As a team leader, as one of the team's captains, my job is to make it as smooth as possible (for a new acquisition)," said James again.

James recounted his late dinner after a Lakers win at the New York Knicks on Saturday, February 1, 2025 local time, when he first heard news about a team sending Davis, Max Christie, and Jalen Hood-Schifino, as well as candidates for the first round of choice to sign Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris.

"My emotions are mixed, of course. We just won big. Big win at Garden."

"I left. I mean, you have seen the report. I went out with my family at dinner and got the news."

"The first time I heard about it, I thought it was definitely a hoax. I thought it was a hoax, people playing games or something."

"However, when AD (Davis) called me, AD did FaceTime with me. I talked to him for a long time. Even when I hung up on him, it didn't feel real," said James.

James further described that the video call with Davis that night felt strange and uncomfortable when he learned the horrendous news circulating.

"It was really a strange, uncomfortable and real moment for us. Knowing that he was just going to leave, it was very, very difficult."

"It was very challenging. I could see how surprised he was, of course. He might see it from my face too," said James.

James said the unprecedented trade was starting to surprise him.

It was the first time in the history of two All-NBA players being exchanged for each other in the middle of the season, but James was able to understand the Lakers' motivations.

"It was shocking when I heard the news, but in the end, I understand the basketball business. However, I did not make that decision," he said.

James' chemistry with Davis was evident from the start, when they won the NBA together in their first season, 2019/2020.

While some people suggest there will be redundancy in the responsibility of the position between him and Doncic. However, James ridiculed the idea.

"(We can be) whatever we want. It won't take long. I can play with anyone."

"I think he can too. So, we will work well together," said James.