Second-year Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James was the one who informed Anthony Davis that he had been traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic, via the team’s group chat, according to journalist Yaron Weitzman’s new book, “A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers.”
The New York Post released details of how Bronny played the role of the messenger of arguably the most shocking trade in NBA history.
“Bronny James, LeBron’s son and a rookie with the Lakers, was the one to post the NBA-shattering breaking news from insider Shams Charania in the players’ group chat,” wrote Christian Arnold.
“Bronny, like the rest of the sports world that night, was unsure if the post had been a hack.”
How Anthony Davis Reacted
The tell-all book further revealed the message Davis sent in the group chat.
“Did these [N-word] just trade me?” Davis wrote, before he wished his former Lakers teammates the best and exited the group.
The New York Post also revealed the reaction of the Lakers’ senior statesman and Bronny’s father, LeBron James.
“WTF,” the 23-year veteran reportedly wrote in the group chat.
The book all but confirms that James, Davis, and others on the Lakers were unaware of the front office’s plans to trade for Luka Doncic.
Luka Doncic Was Blindsided
Much like the trade blindsided Davis and James, Doncic had no idea the Mavericks were engaged in conversations with the Lakers. Typically, superstar players who’ve spent years with the same franchise — like Davis and Doncic — are kept in the loop when their names are floated in potential trades.
“You can imagine how surprised I was,” Doncic said in the days after his trade, via ESPN. “I had to check if it was April 1. I didn’t really believe it.”
“It was a big shock. [Dallas] was home, so it was really hard moments for me. … [But now] I get to play in the greatest club in the world, and I’m excited for this new journey.
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss explained why it was important for both teams to remain tight-lipped about the trade.
“It was really important to me that we didn’t blow up the team,” Buss said back in February, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “If it had leaked out and the trade hadn’t happened, that would be really unfair to the progress that the coaching staff had made with the team. Because it’s a huge distraction.”
“The trade deadline is part of the business. It increases the level of stress for everybody,” Buss added. “And I’m really proud that it didn’t leak out and that we were able to execute the trade in a way that still was surprising to all the parties involved. But that goes with this business.”
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