LeBron James thought Lakers’ trade for Luka Doncic was ‘a hoax’; Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving is ‘grieving’

LeBron James assumed it was “a hoax.”

Even aft helium finished a video telephone with Anthony Davis, James said the Lakers’ NBA-altering commercialized sending Davis to Dallas for Luka Doncic did not look real.

“It inactive beauteous overmuch didn’t look existent until I saw Luka contiguous and past I saw a clip of AD astatine the Dallas shootaround,” James said aft his Lakers’ triumph implicit the Clippers connected Tuesday. “That’s erstwhile it yet deed me, like, ‘Oh s–t, this is real.'”

The comments were James’ archetypal since the Lakers acquired Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris and sent Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round prime to the Mavericks implicit the play successful a three-team woody besides involving the Jazz.

James, 40, said helium was retired to meal successful New York aft the Lakers’ triumph implicit the Knicks connected Saturday erstwhile helium learned of the blockbuster.

“I’ve seen it all, up until this one,” said James, a 22-year NBA veteran. “I’ve ne'er been portion of a transaction similar that. That was different.”

Luka Doncic (right) shares a laughter with LeBron James connected Tuesday earlier Lakers’ crippled against the Clippers successful Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

The commercialized shook the NBA, with astir of the daze centering connected Dallas’ willingness to portion with Doncic, who, astatine 25, already boasts 5 first-team All-NBA selections and led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals lone 8 months ago.

On Sunday, Dallas wide manager Nico Harrison cited the antiaircraft prowess of the 31-year-old Davis, a 10-time All-Star, arsenic a crushed for the trade, but helium besides said the Mavericks “got retired successful beforehand of what could person been a tumultuous summer.”

Doncic has 1 guaranteed twelvemonth remaining connected his declaration and, had helium not been traded, would person been eligible this offseason for a supermax declaration of $345 cardinal implicit 5 years.

The acquisition of the play-making Doncic gave the Lakers a caller franchise cornerstone, but it people led to questions astir his quality to coexist with James, who is likewise ball-dominant.

“If I had concerns astir it, I’d waive my no-trade clause and get up retired of here,” James said. “I’m present close now. I’m present close now. I’m committed to the Lakers organization.”

James described Doncic arsenic his “favorite subordinate successful the NBA for a portion now.”

“As the person of the team, arsenic 1 of the captains of the team, it’s my occupation to marque it arsenic seamless arsenic possible,” James said.

The commercialized besides stunned Doncic, who connected Tuesday expressed excitement to play with the Lakers but reiterated helium had expected to walk his full vocation successful Dallas.

“That’s their decision, truthful I person nary remark connected that,” Doncic said of the Dallas beforehand bureau during an introductory property conference. “They made a decision. I don’t cognize why. But that’s their decision, truthful I can’t bash thing astir it.”

Doncic said helium ne'er indicated immoderate unwillingness to motion a supermax hold — a sentiment Harrison expressed arsenic well.

Luka Doncic (left) and Kyrie Irving, pictured successful May, led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals past year. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

Davis, who likewise described being “in shock,” joins a Dallas squad besides headlined by Kyrie Irving.

“You conscionable don’t ideate you’re going to get acceptable to spell to slumber and past you find retired quality similar that,” Irving said Tuesday night, earlier adding of Doncic, “It’s inactive a grieving process close now. I miss my hermano.”

Doncic has not played since Christmas owed to a calf strain, portion Davis has missed the past week with an abdominal strain. Both are expected to debut with their caller teams soon.

The Lakers (29-19) began Wednesday arsenic the No. 5 effect successful the Western Conference, portion the Mavericks (26-25) ranked 11th.