The NBA world erupted after reports surfaced that the Dallas Mavericks had traded their star player, Luka Dončić, to the Los Angeles Lakers in a stunning deal that sent Anthony Davis and future assets to Dallas. While fans scrambled to make sense of the move, one of the first stars to react was Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young—who kept it short but intriguing.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Young posted just one symbol:

♟️!!

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) February 2, 2025

The chess piece emoji instantly sparked debate. Fans flooded the replies, trying to speculate Young’s message. Was he calling the trade a strategic masterstroke, hinting at more moves ahead, or simply reacting to a game-changing moment in the NBA?

While this trade shakes up the league, it also brings back memories of one of the most famous draft-night deals in NBA history—the 2018 draft-day swap between Doncic and Young. That year, the Atlanta Hawks selected Doncic with the No. 3 overall pick, while the Dallas Mavericks picked Young at No. 5. However, the teams had already worked out a trade: the Hawks sent Doncic to Dallas in exchange for Young and a 2020 first-round pick.

That pick became Cam Reddish, who was later traded by Atlanta in 2022. The move has been debated ever since, but both teams ended up with franchise players who shaped their futures. Doncic turned into a multiple-time All-Star and MVP candidate in Dallas, while Young became the face of the Hawks, leading them to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals.

Young, like the rest of the league, knows this trade has massive implications. With Doncic now teaming up with LeBron James in Los Angeles, the Western Conference just got even tougher. Meanwhile, Dallas is betting big on a new-look roster built around Davis. While the Hawks remain focused on their own season, Young’s reaction shows he’s keeping a close eye on the NBA’s biggest moves. And with the trade deadline still looming, this might not be the last major shake-up.