Anthony Davis never saw it coming. The ten-time All-Star had spent nearly five seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning a championship in 2020 and forming a dominant duo with LeBron James. But in a shocking midseason move, the Lakers sent Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Dončić, leaving fans and Davis himself stunned.
Trades happen constantly in the NBA, but superstar-for-superstar swaps, especially midseason when neither player has requested a move, are almost unheard of. When the news broke, many doubted its legitimacy, with some even speculating that insider Shams Charania’s account, who announced the trade, had been hacked.
Even LeBron James reportedly had no idea the trade was happening, as he was out at dinner when the deal was finalized. For Davis, the news didn’t sink in right away.
Anthony Davis Initially Thought the Trade Was a Prank
The surprising trade was an absolute shocker for the NBA veteran. Davis opened up about his reaction while speaking to Andscape. When he started getting calls about the trade, he thought his friends were messing with him.
“Obviously, the first maybe 48 hours, it was just a shock because I wasn’t expecting it. Nobody was expecting it, so they say,” Davis said.
He explained that he and his inner circle had no idea such a move was in the works, especially given the Lakers’ strong position in the Western Conference.
“Even when I was getting some of the calls [about the trade], I thought guys were playing. But it ended up being true, and that first initial [emotion] was more a shock just seeing the position [we were in]; we’re in fifth in the West, we were rolling.”
While the initial reaction was disbelief, Davis has since embraced his new role in Dallas.
“I’m great. I don’t feel it, but a lot of people have been coming to me and telling me they haven’t seen me smile like this in a long time,” he added. “Family is happy. Everybody is happy. It’s the nature of the business.”
Davis’ Journey in Dallas Is Just Beginning
While Dončić settled in well with the Lakers, Davis’ debut for the Mavs was far from ideal. While he managed 26 points, 17 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks in his first game for the Mavs against the Houston Rockets, he also aggravated his abdominal injury. He was sidelined for over six weeks, missing 18 games before finally returning to the court.
Since his return, Davis has been on a minute restriction. He played his first game back on March 24 against the Brooklyn Nets, contributing 12 points and six rebounds. Likewise, in his third game as a Maverick, he posted 15 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in 29 minutes against the Orlando Magic, which proves he is gaining his form back.
In the three games he’s played for the Mavericks, the 6’10” center averages 17.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and four assists. As Dallas pushes for a deep playoff run, all eyes will be on Davis to see if he can pick his dominant form and lead the Mavs, especially in the absence of Kyrie Irving, who is out due to a torn ACL.