This NBA season brought its share of stunning moments, but none more shocking than the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers — one of the most iconic franchises in league history. The Golden State Warriors were among those who couldn’t hide their surprise. Their real-time reaction, including a stunned Stephen Curry, was captured on camera by professional poker player Alan Keating.
The now-viral moment occurred on February 1 during the Warriors’ charity poker event in Las Vegas — the same night NBA insider Shams Charania broke the news. The trade sent shockwaves across the league: Doncic was headed to L.A. in exchange for Anthony Davis in a move that felt almost surreal.
In Keating’s latest vlog, Curry is seen reacting with his mouth wide open, while Buddy Hield repeatedly tells Draymond Green, “That’s not true.” Even Warriors assistant general manager Kirk Lacob joins the conversation to verify the authenticity of the post on X (formerly Twitter).
The trade was expected to redefine the Lakers’ trajectory — and in the regular season, it did. Doncic brought star power and elite playmaking to L.A., but the team ultimately fell short in the NBA postseason, eliminated in the first round by a relentless Minnesota Timberwolves squad.
Despite the early exit, it’s clear the Lakers front office remains committed to maximizing Doncic’s potential. In recent comments, new head coach JJ Redick appeared to issue a subtle challenge regarding the All-Star’s physical conditioning.
“I’ll start with the offseason and the work that’s required to be in championship shape,” Redick told reporters. “We have a ways to go as a roster. Some individuals were in phenomenal shape. Others, maybe not as much. That’s where my mind goes immediately — we have to get in championship shape.”
That wasn’t the only signal. The Lakers also posted a job opening for a Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, reinforcing their push to elevate Doncic’s physical fitness heading into next season.
“The Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Los Angeles Lakers ensures that each player has an individually designed strength and conditioning plan to promote and support his maximum performance and health maintenance,” the team stated in the job listing. With the spotlight firmly on Doncic and the Lakers, the next chapter promises to be just as dramatic as the last.