Basketball: fake news? Superstar exchange with Doncic shocked the NBA

NBA superstar Luka Doncic rose somewhat misconduct after the exchange quake in his new basketball home. The Slovenian could not raise more than a tired smile for the first photos as a player of Los Angeles Lakers.

The shock that the Dallas Mavericks voluntarily sent him to Center Anthony Davis to California is sitting with the 25-year-old deep. In a letter he wrote at X that he thought he would spend his career in Dallas and that he “wanted to give the city so much a championship”. In the course of the deal, the former German international Maxi Kleber also moves to La.

Fake news or AI at work?

Basketball fans believed in the news of the exchange business in the early Sunday morning of German time in German – and were not alone. “I thought it was fake news. This is insane,” said Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks about one of the most surprising trades in NBA history.

“Like everyone else, I thought it was generated by the AI,” said his coach Doc Rivers. The usually excellently informed reporter Shams Charania was the first. “Yes, that’s real,” he introduced his second post at X because so many people assumed that his account had been chopped.

At the same time the game between Phoenix and Portland, the substitute players looked at themselves incredulously. “Wait something?” Wrote NFL Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who likes to sit on the sidelines when playing the Mavericks.

“It makes no sense”

An exchange business without the consent of the players is unthinkable in European sports, but is common in the United States. Only the at least professionals have a clause in their contract, which gives them a veto. Doncic and Davis are not one of them. “This is the world we live in. It is a business,” said Antetocounmpo.

The fact is that Doncics Kaliber players are actually only submitted if they request this themselves or threaten to leave after the end of the contract. “The headline is that it makes no sense at all,” said expert Ryen Russillo in a podcast. The Slovenian is at least one of the three best players in the league, probably even the second best after the Serbs Nikola Jokic.

Doncic came to the Mavericks in the draft in 2018, his first season was the last of Dirk Nowitzki at the club. As a legitimate successor to the German basketball icon, he became a rookie of the year. Only last year the Slovenian led the Texans to the NBA final.

Even LeBron James didn’t know

Before his 25th birthday, the construction player was chosen five times after a season for one of the top five players in the league. No one else managed to do that, not even his new teammate LeBron James.

The 40 -year -old legend, a close confidante of Davis, is said to have not been informed about the business in advance, learned about it while eating with his family.

In front of the hall of the Mavericks, a fan held up a sign with the inscription “worst trade in NBA history”. A brutal assessment, which also share many experts.

Particularly surprising: The Mavericks negotiated only with the Lakers. A betting bid, as usual in such cases, failed to do so. Compared to other exchange transactions, the Mavericks got relatively little for Doncic.

Doncic should have fitness problems

“I think getting an all-defensive center and an all-NBA player gives us a better chance. The defensive wins championships,” said Dallas’ General Manager Nico Harrison at ESPN.

But he also mentioned Doncic’s contractual situation as a consideration. The Slovenian could have signed a five-year contract of $ 345 million in the Mavericks this summer.

According to media reports, the Texans were particularly concerned with the fitness problems with the superstar, who repeatedly failed with minor injuries. Also at the moment he cannot stand in the field.

“Luka didn’t deserve that”

But Davis has also been anything but a permanent favorite in his career and will soon be 32 years old. The American is also one of the best players in the league. He is not at the level of Doncic.

“Luka absolutely didn’t deserve that. He really respected Dallas,” said Sasa Doncic, Luka’s father, on Slovenian television. His son is trying to look ahead.

In a short post, he wrote about the announcement of his change to the Lakers: “Thankful for this great opportunity. Basketball means everything to me and no matter where I play the game, I will do it with the same joy, passion and the same goal – To win championships. ” After all, he now also plays with his idol James for one of the most famous team in the world.