According to NBA insiders Fred Katz, Sam Amick and Joe Vardon of The Athletic, LeBron James is “shocked” the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Luka Doncic.
After the trade went through, LeBron was worried about Anthony Davis‘ emotions.
“That’s why James was not upset by the trade, a league source said,” Katz, Amick and Vardon wrote. “He was shocked when he was informed of the trade by his agent Rich Paul, who also represents Davis, while at dinner with his family in New York after recording a triple-double in a win over the Knicks on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. James’ chief concern, according to the same league source, was Davis’ emotions following the trade. Otherwise, James viewed it as a ‘business decision’ the Lakers needed to make, and not just because he wanted roster changes. The future will soon be here in which James is no longer involved.”
The Lakers traded Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Doncic after beating the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
LeBron, the oldest player in the NBA, had a 33-point triple-double versus the Knicks.
Los Angeles is in fifth place in the Western Conference standings under first-year head coach JJ Redick. Doncic, LeBron and Austin Reaves are now the three best players on the team.
LeBron and Davis have the same agent. They are close friends, which is why LeBron was worried about Davis’ emotions following the trade.
LeBron and Davis led the Lakers to the 2020 championship against the Miami Heat at the Walt Disney World bubble.
Once Doncic recovers from his calf injury, the Lakers are expected to start him alongside LeBron, Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes.
Most people in the NBA expect Los Angeles to make another trade or two before the trade deadline since the team needs a big man now that Davis is gone.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!