SI

Stephen A. Smith Had Perfect Reaction to Earth-Shaking Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis Trade

Everyone is stunned by this one.

Ryan Phillips

Stephen A. Smith on the ESPN First Take set at the CFP Fan Central.
Stephen A. Smith on the ESPN First Take set at the CFP Fan Central. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Stephen A. Smith had the perfect reaction to the news that shook the sports world Saturday night.

The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers shocked everyone with a blockbuster trade that will send Luka Doncic to LA in exchange for a package led by Anthony Davis.

Smith took to X (formerly Twitter) after the news broke and posted the following:

That's video of Stephen A. and Michael Wilbon's stunned reactions to Deandre Ayton's game-winning dunk that lifted the Phoenix Suns over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 2 of the 2021 Western Conference finals. It fits perfectly in this context.

The Mavericks are sending Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Lakers in exchange for Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. The Utah Jazz are also involved as they'll get Jalen Hood-Schifino from the Lakers and 2025 second-round picks from Dallas and the Los Angeles Clippers (via LAL).

It is as stunning a trade as we've ever seen in the NBA and Smith's reaction was perfect.

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Ryan Phillips
RYAN PHILLIPS

Ryan Phillips is a senior writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He has worked in digital media since 2009, spending eight years at The Big Lead before joining SI in 2024. Phillips also co-hosts The Assembly Call Podcast about Indiana Hoosiers basketball and previously worked at Bleacher Report. He is a proud San Diego native and a graduate of Indiana University’s journalism program.

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