The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers in a blockbuster trade ahead of the trade deadline.
The move is drawing a wide range of cross-sports reactions, with many in the NBA world drawing parallels with some of the biggest basketball superteams over the years.
NBA World Reacts to LA Dodgers Trading for Tarik Skubal
Skubal joins a Dodgers roster that already includes Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Blake Snell. Regarded as one of the top pitchers in the league, Skubal was traded to the Dodgers for prospects Zyhir Hope, River Ryan, and Brady Smith.
The two-time defending World Series champions are primed to retain their crown this year, leading some in the NBA world to compare them to the star-studded Golden State Warriors dynasty, the Big 3 Miami Heat team, and the current Philadelphia 76ers team.
One fan compared the trade sending Skubal from the Tigers to the Dodgers to Stephen Curry being traded for cheap.
“Prime Steph Curry traded for season tickets and a bag of chips,” they wrote on X.
Prime Steph Curry traded for season tickets and a bag of chips
— Nonya (@sybauidiot2) August 2, 2026
Another compared it to LeBron James joining Kevin Durant, Curry, and co. at the Warriors.
“Bron going to KD Warriors,” they wrote.
Bron going to KD warriors
— Joshua Forty (@JoshuaFort91299) August 2, 2026
NBA insider Brett Siegel also weighed in, claiming that the deal was akin to if the 2016-17 Warriors signed Kawhi Leonard.
“The 2016-17 Warriors trading for prime Kawhi Leonard and then signing him in the offseason to a 4-year max contract where none of the money counts against the cap for them,” he wrote.
The 2016-17 Warriors trading for prime Kawhi Leonard and then signing him in the offseason to a 4-year max contract where none of the money counts against the cap for them. https://t.co/MDhCSakAcQ
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) August 2, 2026
A Detroit sports fan brought up the trade involving Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I would say Luka to LA but there is no Anthony Davis in this trade. I don’t even think the NBA has ever had this bad of a trade before,” they wrote.
i would say luka to LA but there is no anthony davis in this trade. i dont even think the nba has ever had this bad of a trade before
— Optify 🦁 (@CarpenterToLeft) August 2, 2026
Another brought up the 1992 United States men’s basketball Olympic team that featured Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird.
“Imagine if the dream team started playing actual NBA games,” they wrote.
Imagine if the dream team started playing actual NBA games https://t.co/AMWXoq5zIS
— Royals Report (@royal_reportt) August 2, 2026
76ers star Joel Embiid also shared his excitement at the news. The 2023 NBA MVP is a big Dodgers fan.
“OMG!! OMG!!!” Embiid wrote on X.
OMG!! OMG!!! https://t.co/P3VjTOr02s
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) August 2, 2026
Several fans also drew a parallel to James, criticizing the 41-year-old for spearheading an era in which teams can stack already dominant rosters. James and Embiid will team up in Philadelphia next season, leading a star-studded team that also includes Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and V.J. Edgecombe.
Following James’ decision to join the 76ers ahead of his 24th season in the NBA, Philadelphia will be among the favorites to win the championship next year.
