Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James refuted a report that he "had grown frustrated" with former teammate Anthony Davis before the All-Star center was included in a blockbuster trade for Luka Dončić late Saturday (February 2) night.
"You a fkn lie!!!" James wrote on his X account in response to CBS Sports' video clip of NBA insider Bill Reiter making the claim, along with a growing nose and clown emojis.
Davis, 31, who joined the Lakers in 2019, was included in the surprising blockbuster trade to acquire Dončić, reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, who said the Mavericks reached out to the Lakers to make the trade.
"BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Three-team deal that includes Utah," Charania wrote on his X account. "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."
"The Mavericks approached the Lakers recently and offered Luka Doncic, sources tell ESPN. Lakers brass met and believed the 25-year-old Doncic has the ability to be the face of their franchise for the next decade while giving Anthony Davis a win-now move in Dallas," Charania added.
Dončić, 25, widely regarded as one of the NBA's best players, hasn't appeared in a game since December 25. The Slovenian native was averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists in 22 games.
Davis is averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 42 games.