LeBron James Wasn’t Aware of Blockbuster Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis Trade, Reveals Jeanie Buss

After Luka Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, LeBron James received a lot of backlash for his alleged involvement.

Fans, and mostly the four-time champion’s critics, felt that nothing happens on teams James has been on without him knowing something about, or having an input.

In this instance, they felt that the Akron native had essentially betrayed one of his closest friends. Davis’ constant injuries were touted as a reason for James’ frustration.

There were also claims that the four-time champion likely agreed to the swap as Doncic was a lot younger and could take the stress of playmaking off him. More than a year later, Jeanie Buss clears the air.

Dallas wanted Anthony Davis, and he was on our team… But it was important they remained private… Those conversations started at the beginning of January… Rob Pelinka was able to do that, all without it leaking to the media, because I think Mark Cuban might’ve jumped in front of a train to keep it from happening. Nobody knew, including Luka, Anthony Davis, and LeBron James.

Jeanie Buss said on Pretty Tough with Maria Sharapova

The Lakers’ governor clarified that only head coach JJ Redick knew about the trade. But since he had to coach the team against the New York Knicks that night, he, too, was asked to keep a lid on the entire situation, as nobody else knew about it.

Jeanie Buss on the Luka Doncic trade:

“Conversations started in January but it was important they remained private…. I think Mark Cuban would’ve jumped in front of a train to keep it from happening.”

(via Pretty Tough Pod, h/t @NBA__Courtside) pic.twitter.com/OexGiNmzYJ

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 1, 2026

At the time, the league’s oldest player even tried to shut down lies about his alleged involvement. But now, Buss clears the rumors that LeBron James had anything to do with the trade.

Jeanie Buss reveals Luka Doncic left his heart in Dallas

While talking about the trade and how it went down, host and tennis legend Maria Sharapova asked Jeanie Buss how it was for Luka Doncic leaving behind his life in Dallas.

In my experience, welcoming players to the Lakers organization, I often hear, ‘This is my dream. I always wanted to be here. To play where Magic, Kobe, Shaq, and Kareem.’ Luka didn’t come into the Lakers like that. He was trying to figure out why this was happening… You could see he left his heart in Dallas, and it was going to take him time.

Jeanie Buss replied

The now-billionaire minority-owner continued to reveal that the Slovenian needed a while to get to terms with the shock the trade brought to his life.

Jeanie Buss says Luka left his heart in Dallas after the trade:

“In my experience welcoming players to the Lakers organization I often hear ‘this is my dream. I always wanted to be here. To play where Magic, Kobe, Shaq’ and Kareem.’ Luka didn’t come into the Lakers like that. He… https://t.co/2vAZQihXEj pic.twitter.com/dpsTDH2Rc2

— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) May 1, 2026

He displayed how hurt he was when tears rolled from his eyes when the Dallas Mavericks gave him a tribute video. But eventually, the five-time All-NBA first-teamer has managed to get over it and is now motivated to win a championship for the Lakers.

Luka Doncic’s availability still up in the air as LeBron James and Lakers punch ticket to second-round

This season, the Los Angeles Lakers may not have been a team built to win a championship. Their bench needs some fiddling if they are to truly contend against the best teams in the league.

However, since March, LeBron James’ adjustments have helped the team unlock a different version of themselves. That forced many to sit up and take notice.

Then, unfortunately, Luka Doncic went down with a hamstring injury, and the Lakers’ chances this season are tied to his recovery. So far, LeBron James is holding down the fort after guiding the team to a win in their first-round series against the Houston Rockets.

They had Austin Reaves return after his injury spell. Now, the wait is on to see whether their leading superstar can return to the court in time to face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. As of now, there is no news of his recovery.

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