NBA world still talks about the Luka Doncic trade to Los Angeles Lakers, which many fans still trying to understand why, particularly heartbroken Dallas fans, who protested in front of the stadium. It is widely considered that Dallas Mavericks took the worst part of the bargain, because even if Anthony Davis is a ten times All-Star, as well as NBA champion in 2020, he is ageing (he's 31) and suffers more frequent injuries.
With logic nowhere to be found, NBA fans and commentators are entering into the realm of speculation. And one of the theories thrown around is that LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers star for over two decades, someone with immense influence, had pushed for this deal. At least, the part concerning Anthony Davis being pushed out of Lakers.
That's according to CBS reporter Bill Reiter, who said that James was "a little frustrated with Davis", therefore he pushed for the deal to be made. "He can be a little inconsistent, a little moody", said Reiter about Davis, also adding that this kind of deal "doesn't happen without his absolute blessing and approval". "This follows a pattern, when LeBron wants to win championships, it doesn't matter if he's 26 or 40, there's a 0% chance that this kind of deal happens without LeBron giving his approval and maybe a little bit of shutting the door for AD (Davis)".
Naturally, LeBron didn't take it well, and posted "you're a liar" (well, with other choice of words). It was previously reported that LeBron (as well as Doncic) didn't know about the trade, and he found out after the news broke.
But even with Twitter (X) adding Community Notes refuting the reporters' words, Reiter insisted that he "stands by his reporting" and even added, in an article, a more troubling theory: the LeBron is actively deceiving everyone.
"If true -- if the Los Angeles Lakers actually traded Anthony Davis without informing LeBron or giving a single worry about what he would think about finding out just before the rest of us -- then the LeBron James era in Los Angeles is over. The other option is that those close to LeBron are pushing a narrative to try and protect this all-time great from the consequences of cutting AD loose."
Reiter add that this wouldn't be the first time that's happened, and he wants to protect himself as well as James and Davis' agent. "LeBron runs a well-oiled machine, has incredibly smart and loyal people around him and would have reason to try and protect himself from the fallout from having his fingerprints all over this move".