NBA: James admits being ‘shocked’ by Doncic trade but expects ‘seamless transition’ at Lakers

Doncic watched from the bench as the Lakers beat the Clippers.

LeBron James Luka Doncic

LeBron James was in good spirits alongside Luka Doncic on the Lakers’ bench during Tuesday’s 122-97 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

For James, the reality of the blockbuster trade that saw Anthony Davis head to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the five-time All-NBA star is still sinking in.

He addressed the media for the first time since the trade following the game and admitted he has started to accept the unexpected shift.

“It still pretty much didn’t seem real until I saw Luka today and I saw a clip of AD at the Dallas shootaround,” James admitted. “That’s when it finally hit me, like, ‘Oh sh*t, this is real.’

“If I had concerns about it, I’d waive my no-trade clause and get up out of here.

“I’m here right now. I’m here right now. I’m committed to the Lakers organization. As the leader of the team, as one of the captains of the team, it’s my job to make it as seamless as possible [for the new acquisitions].”

Reflecting on how he learned of the trade, James revealed he was at a family dinner after the Lakers’ win over the New York Knicks on Saturday.

It was during this outing that he first heard whispers of the deal that sent Davis, Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and a future first-round pick to Dallas in return for Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris.

“My emotions were all over the place, obviously,” James added. “We had just come off a big win. A huge win in the Garden. I was out with my family at dinner and got the news, and the first time I heard it, I thought it was for sure fake.

“I thought it was a hoax, people messing around or whatever. But then when AD called me, AD FaceTimed me and I talked to him for quite a while, and even when I got off the phone with him, it still didn’t seem real.

“It was definitely a weird, uncomfortable, truth moment for us. Just knowing that he was going to be gone, that was very, very difficult. Very challenging. I can see how in shock he was, obviously. And he probably saw it from my face, as well.

“It was shocking when I heard the news, but at the end of the day, I understand the business of basketball. But I didn’t make the decision.”

James and Davis had an great connection on the court, securing a championship together in their first season as teammates in 2019-20.

Currently, the Lakers are on a roll, winning nine of their last eleven games, positioning themselves just one game behind the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference.

The momentum is expected to continue with Doncic’s anticipated debut. Sources say he is “trending towards” playing his first game in a Lakers uniform on Saturday against the visiting Indiana Pacers.

“Luka’s been my favorite player in the NBA for a while now,” James revealed. “I think you guys know that. And I’ve always just tried to play the game the right way and inspire the next generation. And Luka happens to be one of them. And now, we’re teammates. So, it’ll be a very seamless transition.”

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Mitch Fretton

Mitch is a freelance sports journalist with experience working for LiveScore, GOAL and Colchester United. He has experience working from both his desk at home and in the press box at games covering the Champions League and international football.

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