NBA Rumors: How LeBron James Reacted To Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis Trade

LeBron James has a new running mate in Los Angeles.

The Lakers reportedly decided to move on from Anthony Davis early Sunday morning, but there won’t be a superstar talent void at Crypto.com Arena. The Purple and Gold, according to multiple reports, acquired Luka Doncic and two reserve forwards from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Davis, a veteran role player and a draft pick.

News of the blockbuster deal broke after one of the Lakers’ most impressive wins of the season: a 128-112 victory over the Knicks in New York. Playing without Davis (abdominal injury), James turned back the clock with a triple-double consisting of 33 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer quickly went from celebrating a stellar showing in the Big Apple to trying to process his team’s franchise-altering move.

“LeBron James learned of the Davis-Doncic trade after the Knicks game when it broke while he was out to dinner with his family, sources close to James told ESPN,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin posted to X. “James was surprised by the news, is processing it and had no idea it was in the works, sources said.”

Time will tell what the deal means for James purely in terms of basketball. James and Davis complemented each other on the court very well, highlighted by a 2020 NBA championship. The James-Doncic fit isn’t an obvious one at first glance, and the Lakers went from boasting one of the league’s very best rim protectors to having virtually no player of the sort on their roster.

Doncic, who has been out of action since Christmas Day due to a calf issue, reportedly is “ramping up his rehab” and is nearing a return to the court. So, it might not be too long until we see LA’s new duo in action.