The Milwaukee Bucks and the rest of the NBA world are still in shock over the trade news that broke late last night. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Dallas Mavericks have traded Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first round pick.
BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, 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.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2025
Doncic, who won the NBA scoring title last season with 33.9 points per game (he also averaged 9.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists) at just 24 years old, is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game this season.
Anthony Davis, a nine-time All-Star, is averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game this season.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Was Shocked by the News as Well
In the minutes and hours following the news of the trade, NBA stars, fans, and even analysts who cover other sports posted their shocked reactions on social media. Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was one of them:
🥶🌎
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) February 2, 2025
As one can see, his message is simple: it’s a cold world.
Per Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Mavericks decided to trade the face of their franchise because they were concerned about his injury history and conditioning concerns:
“The Mavericks were motivated to move Doncic because of his constant conditioning concerns, sources told MacMahon. There had been significant frustration within the organization about Doncic’s lack of discipline regarding his diet and conditioning, which team sources considered a major factor in his injury issues.”
Doncic has not played since straining his calf for the second time this season on Christmas Day.
Of course, Bucks fans were shocked by the trade because Doncic has oftentimes been compared to Giannis in that both players elevated their franchise to NBA Championship levels. Indeed, Doncic took Dallas to the NBA Finals just last season.
Milwaukee Bucks Fans Have a Stern Warning for Jon Horst Following the Doncic Trade
The most shocking part of the blockbuster trade is that nobody knew about. No NBA insiders had any idea that there were talks going on. Not even LeBron James knew, per ESPN.
Realizing that, in the blink of an eye, a beloved franchise icon can be traded, Bucks fans took to social media to make one thing very clear to Milwaukee general manager Jon Horst:
I would fly out from europe to Milwaukee and not leave until jon horst is 💀 https://t.co/wKfrfG6bnY
— Formerly GiannisWorld (@GiannisWorld_) February 2, 2025
Fans might literally murder Jon Horst if he tried this with you https://t.co/pDhzhZSjuF
— Μιχαήλ 🇺🇦 (@EchaisInErais) February 2, 2025
If Jon Horst pulled something like this I think I’d leave the sport forever
— GiannisMuse 💫🦌 (@GiannisMuse) February 2, 2025
Jon Horst pls don’t I’m praying to god
— GaryXDairyfor3 (@Weifhsoem) February 2, 2025
Obviously, the very clear message is that Bucks fans do not want to see Giannis traded. One can only imagine the heartbreak Mavericks fans must be dealing with this morning, waking up to the news.
Imagine if it were Giannis instead… Milwaukee would probably lose 90% of its fanbase.
More Milwaukee Bucks News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Giannis Antetokounmpo Speaks Up on Bobby Portis Role as Backup Big Set to Miss 5th Straight Game
- Giannis Antetokounmpo Reacts to Stunning Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis Trade
- 2021 Bucks Champ Traded by Los Angeles Clippers to Utah Jazz
- Bucks’ Brook Lopez Says This New Giannis Skill as Made Him Unguardable
- “Enough Is Enough;” Giannis Breaks Silence on Tense Interaction with Chris Paul
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