Late Saturday night, the NBA world’s collective comprehension broke.

Maybe that’s the purpose of breaking news, at least when it reports that one of the NBA’s top-tier stars is traded to one of NBA’s most visible franchises with zero rumor, warning or inkling to precede it.

The mass confusion and disbelief was so great that even the reporter who broke the news, Shams Charania of ESPN, was forced to reassure the general social media public that neither hacking nor humor was at play.

“Yes, this is real,” he posted before reiterating the details of the trade.

Yes, this is real. Sources tell ESPN: Full trade:

– Lakers: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris

– Mavericks: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LAL 1st

– Jazz: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Clippers 2nd, 2025 Mavericks 2nd https://t.co/bltojdTaQj

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025

With the absolutely stunning news that Luka Dončić is headed to the Los Angeles Lakers in a multi-team deal, the league’s players, media and fans took to social media to express their (in)comprehension.

😳

— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) February 2, 2025

pic.twitter.com/izCntB3dd6

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) February 2, 2025

🥶🌎

— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) February 2, 2025

WOWWWWW NO F WAY

— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) February 2, 2025

"Insane. It's crazy, crazy."

Kevin Durant on mega Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade.

"Players are held to a different standard of loyalty and commitment to a program but the organizations don't get held to that same standard from the outside."

On teams following suit before Feb.… pic.twitter.com/DekP4eRN6N

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 2, 2025

"It's crazy man. I really don't know what to say about it. Luka being a guy that everybody has claimed is untouchable and untradeable. The NBA shows you again."

Devin Booker on colossal Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade.

"It's a business. They're always having a conversation… pic.twitter.com/p2DdVR7u3N

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 2, 2025

♟️!!

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) February 2, 2025

HUH!!!!

— Tyrese Maxey (@TyreseMaxey) February 2, 2025

🤯

— De'Aaron Fox (@swipathefox) February 2, 2025

wtf ?????

— Tyler Herro (@raf_tyler) February 2, 2025

I can’t tell what’s real and fake anymore on these apps. Luka really going to the lakers or nah ?

— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) February 2, 2025

Gotta pack them bags just in case now a days . If the Don got traded only lord knows

— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) February 2, 2025

They gonna let LeBron groom Luka to be the face of the league on Lakers 😳😳😳🤷🏾‍♂️

— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) February 2, 2025

Huh?????

— Josh Hart (@joshhart) February 2, 2025

Hell naw😂😂😂

— Malik Monk (@AhmadMonk) February 2, 2025

Wait what?

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) February 2, 2025

"I can't remember in my NBA life a trade this shocking" 🤯@GregAnthony50, @laurenjbara & @QRich react to the MASSIVE Luka Dončić & Anthony Davis trade on GameTime 🍿 pic.twitter.com/tICZ6WfepM

— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 2, 2025

I've been covering the NBA for 37 years. Almost nothing that happens – deals, free agent signings, coach hirings/firings – rises to the level of, as the great Ben Bradlee used to call them, "Holy S–t" stories. You just get used to the unexpected.
This is a "Holy S–t" trade.

— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) February 2, 2025

Luka must’ve demanded a trade to the Lakers, right? This is beyond shocking. I really thought I was dreaming or even died

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 2, 2025