"Corporate Negligence": Athletic Community Responds to Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis Exchange
It was just past midnight on Sunday in the Eastern Standard Time zone when ESPN's social media post nearly caused a frenzy on the internet.
According to sources, the message on X, formerly known as Twitter, stated, "The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick in a three-team deal that also involves the Utah Jazz."
Immediately, fans and even NBA players expressed skepticism about the possibility of such a massive trade. However, when other media outlets quickly confirmed the news, the sports world began to process the implications of this unprecedented trade involving two All-NBA players, one of whom is the 25-year-old global superstar, Doncic, who led his team to the NBA Finals last June.
The Mavericks officially announced the trade on Sunday morning, with the Jazz receiving Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round draft pick from the Lakers via the Los Angeles Clippers. Dallas also sent a 2025 second-round selection to Utah.
As of early Sunday morning, neither Davis nor Doncic had commented on the trade. However, some NBA players took to social media to share their thoughts on the matter, highlighting the fact that no player is guaranteed to remain with their team as the trade deadline approaches on Thursday.
CJ McCollum of the New Orleans Pelicans posted on X, "Gotta pack them bags just in case nowadays. If the Don (Doncic) got traded, only the lord knows."
Phoenix star Kevin Durant addressed the media after the Suns' 127-108 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, stating that the trade serves as a reminder that the NBA is a business.
Durant added, "Players are expected to show loyalty and commitment to their team, but organizations are not held to the same standard by the public. This trade may open the door for more shocking moves in the future."
He continued, "When you see something like this, other teams may gain the confidence to make similar trades. This is the biggest trade I've seen since I've been in the league or since I've been watching the sport. It's insane. So, other teams might think, 'Screw it, I'll trade some of my top players if things aren't working.'"
The trade didn't just shock basketball players; it also caught the attention of athletes from other sports.
Dallas Cowboys All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons summed up the general sentiment on social media by writing, "Yoo, what's going on in Dallas?"
For Emmanuel Acho, a former NFL linebacker, current television analyst, and Dallas native, the news was particularly hard to swallow.
He tweeted, "As someone who attended the Mavericks' first NBA finals in 2006 and the parade in 2011, I can confidently say that trading prime Luka Doncic is one of the biggest mistakes in the history of sports. This is organizational malpractice. I am sick."
