LeBron’s Jaw-Dropping 3-Word Response to Lakers’ Blockbuster Trade
LeBron James’ raw, three-letter reaction — “WTF” — perfectly captured the shockwaves that rippled through the NBA when the Los Angeles Lakers traded Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić.
According to NBA journalist Yaron Weitzman’s new book A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers, the bombshell moment — reported by The New York Post
The trade, finalized on February 2, instantly became one of the most shocking midseason transactions in league history. Even LeBron’s own son, Bronny, was the first to inform him — relaying the stunning development from
Everyone thought Shams’ account had been hacked.
Anthony Davis’ Reaction: ‘Did These Guys Just Trade Me?’
If LeBron’s response was disbelief, Davis’ was outright devastation.
“Did these [N-word] just trade me?” Davis wrote in the group chat before wishing his teammates luck and abruptly leaving, according to Weitzman’s account.
Davis, who shared not only a championship but a deep personal friendship and Klutch Sports representation with James, was blindsided by a deal that reshaped both his career and the Lakers’ future.
“When it happened, I honestly didn’t know [expletive],” Davis later told the Los Angeles Times in late February. “He’s been my running mate for six years… so the first thing I wanted to do was call him.”
The Trade That Changed the Lakers Forever
Getty The Anthony Davis-LeBron James produced one championship for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
Weitzman’s book describes the scene vividly: LeBron scrolling his phone in disbelief as Bronny broke the news, wondering if the tweet was fake. The star forward later said he didn’t believe the trade was real until he saw video of Davis participating in the
“My emotions were all over the place,” James admitted days later. “At first, I thought it was a hoax. But AD FaceTimed me, and even after that, it didn’t seem real until I saw Luka today.”
That night, the balance of power in Los Angeles shifted. The Lakers’ front office, led by general manager Rob Pelinka and governor Jeanie Buss, made a stunning pivot — moving from a roster designed around Davis to one built for the future with Dončić.
The organization’s prior moves — hiring JJ Redick as head coach and flipping D’Angelo Russell for Dorian Finney-Smith — had seemingly reinforced their commitment to Davis. Instead, the February blockbuster signaled a new direction: Dončić as LeBron’s heir apparent in Hollywood.
Secrecy Inside the Lakers Front Office
According to multiple reports, only Buss and Pelinka were aware of the deal before it was finalized. On the Mavericks’ side, the knowledge was limited to general manager Nico Harrison and governor Patrick Dumont.
Pelinka personally called Davis to break the news — a call that Davis reportedly ended in disbelief before immediately FaceTiming LeBron.
“I don’t know if I ever got the real story,” Davis later told the
Fallout and Davis’ First Return to Los Angeles
When Davis returned to Crypto.com Arena as a Maverick weeks later, the emotions were still raw. Following a February 26 matchup that saw the Lakers defeat Dallas, he addressed the trade publicly.
“Everybody’s saying nobody knew and all this other [expletive],” Davis told the Los Angeles Times. “I just don’t believe it. But, hey man, I’m past that. I’m ready to move forward with Dallas, try to get a championship there with these guys.”
Still, the pain was evident — the abrupt end to a six-year partnership that delivered the Lakers a championship but also revealed how unforgiving the NBA’s business side can be.
Legacy of a Hollywood Earthquake
The Anthony Davis-for-Luka Dončić trade will go down as one of the boldest and most polarizing moves in Lakers history — a moment that marked the end of the “LeBron & AD” era and the dawn of a new superstar era led by Dončić.
For LeBron James, it was another reminder that no one — not even a best friend or co-star — is immune from the ruthless logic of the NBA.
“I’ve seen it all,” James said later. “But this one? This was different.”
Steph Curry Reflects on Special Moment with Ayesha and Riley After Warriors Win
After the Golden State Warriors‘ opening night win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night,
Ayesha and Riley Curry were in attendance at the Crypto.com Arena to show their support for Steph and the Warriors. A big third quarter run for the visitors proved too much for the Lakers as Golden State earned a
Steph told reporters after the game how it was important for him to have his wife and eldest daughter on the sidelines. He reflected on being the same age as Riley when his father, Dell Curry, retired.
“My wife and my daughter are here. It’s weird because when my dad retired, I was the same age Riley is now, so it’s kind of a full circle knowing the experiences I had as a kid watching and getting to relive that as a dad now. So it’s pretty special that me and (Ayesha) get to… (Riley) got spoiled. A little solo trip, so it was fun,” Steph said, via NBC
At 37 years old, Steph is among the elder statesmen in the NBA. His family has been a huge part of his career, especially Riley, who went viral as a child, sitting on his father’s lap in press conferences during the Warriors’ championship run in 2015.
Riley Assists Steph Before Season Opener
Before Tuesday’s game started, Steph Curry did his usual routine to prepare for the first contest of the season. Riley served a hockey assist to his father, with some help from Golden State Warriors assistant coach Bruce Fraser.
After going back-and-forth with soccer passes with Fraser, Steph floated the ball using a volleyball underhand. Riley, who is now in middle school, plays the sport like her grandmother, Sonya, and aunt, Sydel Curry-Lee.
The 13-year-old tossed the basketball like a volleyball to Fraser, who did the same to Curry. The Warriors superstar didn’t waste the beautiful sequence, knocking down the 3-point shot in the corner, as per
The shot finished Steph’s pregame routine as he ran toward the locker room to get ready for the tipoff. He had a slow start to the game before scoring 11 points in the second quarter. He hit the ice-cold 3-point shot late in the fourth quarter to send the Lakers to sleep.
History for Steph on Opening Night
The win was always the goal for the Warriors, but Steph Curry did something else on opening night against the Lakers. At 37 years old, Steph is the oldest guard in NBA history to score at least 20-plus points in the first game of the season, according to
There has been a lot of talk about Golden State’s age, especially of their four veterans in Steph, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Al Horford. Steve Kerr is not worried about their age since they have the depth to give their “elders” rest when they need it.
Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield picked up the slack in the season opener. Kuminga scored 13 of his 17 points in the third quarter, while Hield’s 17 points off the bench helped keep the Lakers at bay in the second half.
