Adam Schefter, a longtime ESPN NFL insider, is recognized for his knack for delivering timely inside scoops in the NFL. However, his analysis on other sports, particularly a recent NBA blockbuster trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks, leaves much to be desired. Since the trade news broke early Sunday morning, numerous media members have chimed in, questioning the trade’s origins given the lack of rumors about Anthony Davis or Luka Dončić up to that point.
Schefet took a different approach, focusing on what he saw as a comparable trade in the NFL. He argued that a similar situation would be if the Cincinnati Bengals traded Joe Burrow to the Baltimore Ravens for Lamar Jackson. In a post shortly after the trade announcement, he tweeted:
An NFL equivalent: the Ravens trading Lamar Jackson+ to the Bengals in exchange for Joe Burrow+ — in the middle of the season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 2, 2025
The key flaw in Schefter’s analogy lies in the age discrepancy between the two involved players. The Mavericks will acquire a 31-year-old Anthony Davis and part with a 25-year-old Luka Dončić, who is in the prime of his career. While some might argue that Davis still has several productive years left, many believe the Mavericks have risked their future significantly by trading Dončić.
Contrastingly, Schefter’s scenario with Burrow and Jackson involves two players of the same age—both 28. Additionally, Dončić and Davis offer vastly different contributions to their teams, while Burrow and Jackson are position counterparts. Although Schefter seemed to imply that these trades involved elite players in their sports, the inherent flaws in his comparison drew criticism from colleagues in sports media on social platforms.
Nick Wright from FS1 pointed out the weaknesses in Schefter’s analogy: “This is, obviously, wrong,” he wrote. “There’s no NFL comp, but if one were forced to make one, here is the correct one: The Bills trading Josh Allen during the ‘22 season, the season after the :13 game, for Matt Stafford and a future 1st. Again, there’s no NFL comp, but this is closest.”
This is, obviously, wrong.
There’s no NFL comp, but if one were forced to make one, here is the correct one:
The Bills trading Josh Allen during the ‘22 season, the season after the :13 game, for Matt Stafford and a future 1st.
Again, there’s no NFL comp, but this is closest. https://t.co/0RfUpZgKRi
— nick wright (@getnickwright) February 2, 2025
Others weighed in as well. Jon Ledyard of Pro Football Focus tweeted, “Lol what?? That is not an equivalent at all. Just do the reporting thing, brother.”
lol what?? That is not an equivalent at all. Just do the reporting thing, brother https://t.co/R7w6TCdp4V
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) February 2, 2025
Adding to the chorus, Adam “the Bull” Gerstenhaber remarked, “Damn, no wonder ESPN doesn’t let Adam talk about anything but football. What a terrible example.”
Damn, no wonder ESPN doesn’t let Adam talk about anything but football. What a terrible example… https://t.co/CluTFfsFKO
— Adam the Bull (@adamthebull) February 2, 2025
Shan Shariff from 105.3 The Fan in Dallas also chimed in: “Please don’t talk NBA again.”
Please don’t talk NBA again https://t.co/VYaKvwCD08
— Shan Shariff (@1053SS) February 2, 2025
Ultimately, this doesn’t detract from Schefter’s expertise in NFL reporting, as he excels in his role as ESPN’s lead NFL insider. However, considering his recent desire for ESPN to “let him out of his cage” regarding coverage beyond the NFL, this moment may not serve him well if he seeks to explore NBA-related discussions in the future.
