NBA Fans React to Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis Lakers Trade on 1-Year Anniversary of Blockbuster Deal

One year ago Sunday proved that even in the age of constant communication, updates and 24-hour news, there can still be surprises in sports.

Shocking ones, in fact.

Sunday is the one-year anniversary since the Dallas Mavericks traded franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for a return package that included Anthony Davis. It was such a stunning move that even ESPN's Shams Charania included the words, "Yes, this is real," in his social-media post breaking the news.

At this point, NBA fans are more accustomed to seeing Dončić in Purple and Gold, but it surely took some time to adjust. 

The trade is also still generating reaction on social media, especially on the one-year anniversary:

Prior to the move, it seemed like Dončić could follow in Dirk Nowitzki's footsteps and be a foundational star who remained with the Mavericks for his entire career. After all, he just led the team to the 2024 NBA Finals and was 25 years old when the front office decided to move him to the Lakers.

It was a trade that was almost immediately ridiculed and led to protests from Dallas fans. Those who chanted for the firing of general manager Nico Harrison eventually got their wish when he was let go in November.

LUKA DOMIANTES IN CHICAGO

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Fortunately for Mavericks fans, there is some reason for optimism one year after seeing the Dončić tenure come to an unexpected end.

They landed the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA draft and selected Cooper Flagg, who already looks like a star in the making 45 games into his rookie campaign. He has a ways to go to reach Dončić's level, but the team at least has another building block in place moving into the future.

As for Dončić, he and the Lakers are in sixth place in the Western Conference standings in large part because of his individual brilliance. He is in the middle of the MVP race and still sorely missed by Mavericks fans even after a year of processing the trade.