Overview
- Rookie Bronny James relayed Shams Charania’s report into the Lakers’ players’ chat, alerting teammates to the February 2 swap of Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić.
- Anthony Davis entered the chat to ask if he had been traded, wished teammates well, and left, while LeBron James replied with “WTF,” according to Yaron Weitzman’s book.
- Austin Reaves initially suggested in the chat that Davis was joking, reflecting confusion as players questioned whether the report was real.
- Reporting cited in the coverage says Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison negotiated the deal privately, including an incognito coffee meeting, before Pelinka informed Davis on a joint call with head coach J.J. Redick and later notified Rich Paul and LeBron.
- Post-trade, Dončić averaged 28.2 points with Los Angeles and Davis averaged 20 in nine games for Dallas due to injury limits, and both teams exited the postseason early.