Melissa Rohl
Fox Sports NBA writer
Even LeBron James didn’t see this coming?
The news was so surprisingly that he shook the NBA world, and the superstar around the league ran to social media and publicly questioned whether it was true. One of the most shocking takeout was James, but it was done without his knowledge.
The Los Angeles Lakers sends Anthony Davis, Max Christie and the first round to Dallas Mavericks in return with Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markiel Morris. Utah Jazz also participates in three team transactions and acquires the second round draft picks of Jalen Hood-Schifino and Lakers (2025 Picks) and Mavericks.
James was definitely in the dark of this transaction. In fact, according to ESPN, he had dinner with his family on Saturday with the 128-112 victory of the Lakers with New York Knicks, and he first heard the news.
It is amazing itself.
Since joining the Lakers in 2018, James has touched everything in the organization. He recruited Davis and played for six seasons in 2020 and won the championship in 2020. He broke the title winner in Lakers and acquired Russell Westbrook in 2021.
When the experiment failed, he made a clear complaint and pushed it publicly to openly push Rob Pelinka, the governor of Lakers. PELINKA handled Westbrook and acquired six new players before the 2023 deadline, reaching the Westton Conference Final.
As James was 40 years old, James was still controlled this season. After the Lakers coach Darvin HAM was dismissed in the first round of the playoffs in 2024, the team hired JJ REDICK, a PODCAST partner of James, in “Mind the Game”. Even James coordinated his first father’s son Duo in NBA’s history, encouraging the Lakers to take over Bronney James as the 55th pick in the 2024 draft.
Therefore, it refers to the volume to create this big movement without James.
Mavericks contacted Lakers about the contract and had a problem with Dončić’s deficit for the end of the defense and his problem ahead of him for the extension of the Supermax contract this summer.
It was so good for the Lakers to pass.
How can Lakers reject Dončić, who sets up the 17th champion of LeBron post Lebron James with a young superstar who can be the next face of the team? 25 -year -old Dončić was a perennial competitor who won the MAVERICKS last season and won the MVP award.
For Mavericks, their thoughts were clear. While one of the best young players in the league, Davis offers Mavericks a defensive superstar that knows what he needs to be a champion.
For Lakers, this was an investment in the future. For Mavericks, this was a movement of victory.
But it was different for James.
He is the face of the league. He is the best scorer in NBA history. He is four champions and four MVPs. According to the corner of the barber shop you prefer, he is the greatest player behind Michael Jordan or the second greatest player. His strength and reaching range are unmatched, so they shoot the gun anywhere for decades.
It shows that the Lakers are willing to get angry to do this without him. They were willing to break the long rules in the NBA. James is the king. This movement showed them that they were in charge. Another issue is whether they should not show any essential respect or to be praised for the priority of the future.
relevant: Lebron James breaks silence in Anthony Davis trade
Of course, the breakup between James and Lakers is at the corner. James will not play a recent retirement and “until the wheel falls,” and probably only one or two seasons remain. But the Lakers are the first steps to break the long tradition of playing the largest superstar.
The biggest problem is whether or not to acquire Dončić Midseason, whether or not you can create a real championship competitor in the 22nd season.
I am suspicious.
This was fifth at the Western Conference and would be a big adjustment of the Lakers Team, which won eight of the last 10 games. At least breaks down continuity to speak. In addition, there is still time to solve this ahead of the trade deadline on February 6, but it worsens the brilliant holes around the center.
This is a movement for their future. They are looking for Dončić to acquire the baton. The franchise, famous for its impressive superstar history, has added the latest brilliant window dressing.
It is interesting to think about what James has been consulted.
James and Davis were close. Over the years, they chated after the game and discussed what kind of wine they had opened after chatting after the game. They teared each other ribs. They will go to each other’s house for dinner. James taught Davis how to be a winner. He gave him the importance of having a short memory when he put him down after the sub -performance. Over the past few years, James has made it clear that Lakers is a team of Davis.
But James also stressed that he was not part of the front office. During the coaching search of Lakers, he learned that he wanted to prioritize the organization’s long -term health rather than surrender him. He said he wanted to focus on basketball, not the decision of the personnel for many years.
Nevertheless, the Lakers are accused of James’ puppet. And James’ fingerprints depend on their decisions.
But clearly it is no longer true.
Yes. The movement itself was shocking. (NBA Superstar is a news breaker (ESPN’s Sham Charania) by visiting social media through social media, including “WowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwW Doubt “SHAMS was hacked.”
Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis Trade: The best social media reaction to NBA blockbuster
But this decision was made without James’ consent.
It is a new era for the Lakers.
In one or more way.
Melissa Rohlin is an NBA writer of Fox Sports. She previously dealt with the league of Sports Illustrated Los Angeles TIMES, Bay Area News Group and the San Antonio Express-renews. Follow her on Twitter @Melissarohl.
LeBron James
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