Group Chat Reveals Davis-Dončić Trade

Yaron Weitzman’s new book recounts that rookie Bronny James posted Shams Charania’s report in the Lakers’ players’ group chat that Anthony Davis had been traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Dončić, prompting teammates to question the post’s authenticity, Davis to write "Did these [n-word] just trade me?" and LeBron to reply "WTF" before Davis exited the chat. The Feb. 2, 2025 deal involved the Utah Jazz and multiple players and draft picks, brought Dončić to Los Angeles and sent Davis to Dallas, and sparked sustained fan backlash that targeted Mavericks GM Nico Harrison. On-court results were mixed: Dončić averaged 28.2 points for the Lakers while Davis averaged 20 points in nine games before injuries. Separately, LeBron drew criticism after teasing "The Decision of All Decisions" only to reveal the clip was a Hennessy VSOP ad; Lou Williams and many fans called the campaign misleading and emotionally irresponsible, and even LeBron’s daughter feared he was retiring. Earlier pandemic-era accounts described LeBron playfully trash-talking Spurs guard Dejounte Murray’s family during an eerily quiet game, an episode characterized as lighthearted and rooted in an existing friendship with the Murray family. LeBron has also been sidelined by right-sided sciatica, causing him to miss the Lakers' season opener and raising concern about the team's prospects.