J.R. Smith’s surreal arrest: “LeBron stole Luka from us!”
First comes a conversation about LeBron and Doncic, then the handcuffs. Police footage captures a decidedly unusual exchange with J.R. Smith
It’s not every day that a police stop turns into a discussion about NBA trades. Yet that’s exactly what happened to J.R. Smith, who was stopped in Texas on September 28 and found himself in a rather surreal exchange with officers.
The California Post brought the incident to light after obtaining the officers’ bodycam footage. The video shows the former Cavaliers and Lakers player casually discussing basketball with police moments before his arrest.
The conversation begins with Smith’s career. He explains that he played in the NBA and won two championships, one with Cleveland and one with Los Angeles.
When an officer asks whether he won his first ring alongside Kyrie Irving, Smith clarifies:
With Kyrie and LeBron
J.R. Smith
That’s when the conversation takes an unexpected turn.
“LeBron stole Luka from us. I’m still mad!”
One officer, apparently a Dallas Mavericks fan, doesn’t seem particularly fond of LeBron James, jokingly calling him “he who must not be named”.
Curious about the reaction, Smith asks whether he’s not a fan. The answer comes immediately:
He stole Luka from us! He took Doncic away from us. That was all him
Police officer
The reference, of course, is to the blockbuster February 2025 trade that sent Luka Doncic from the Mavericks to the Lakers, one of the most debated deals in recent years.
The officer appears convinced that LeBron was behind the move, although that is only his opinion, and there is no evidence establishing James’ direct involvement in the negotiations.
Another officer joins the conversation:
Nobody was happy about that trade
Police officer
His colleague doubles down:
I’m still mad. Even now!
Police officer
Clearly, more than a year and a half later, Doncic’s departure remains a sensitive subject for some Dallas fans.
From NBA chatter to an arrest
The conversation ends abruptly, however, when officers confirm that J.R. Smith has an outstanding arrest warrant.
The former NBA player is then handcuffed and taken into custody over a matter far more serious than trade discussions. According to U.S. media reports, Smith is accused of causing bodily injury to a woman with whom he allegedly had a family, household or dating relationship, in connection with a September 18 incident in Tarrant County, Texas.
Smith was subsequently released. His attorney, Justin A. Moore, reiterated that the former player is presumed innocent and that the matter will be addressed in court.
He is eager to have this matter resolved and has full confidence in the legal process. He is presumed innocent, and we will address the matter in court
Justin A. Moore
The legal case remains ongoing and is, of course, the most important part of the story.
What spread across social media, however, was primarily that brief exchange about LeBron and Doncic: a sports-bar conversation captured on a bodycam.