The Dončić deal positions the Lakers extremely well for the future — especially when a bumper crop of stars might become available.

Perhaps then it’s best to view the Luka Dončić trade not as the most shocking and bizarre in NBA history but as the standard-bearer for a post-historic era of inverted reality such as the one in which we are living.

Professional basketball fans were left wondering if a viral joke was taking place as news of Luka Dončić being dealt to Los Angeles unfolded.