10-time All-Star Dallas Mavericks center/power forward Anthony Davis seems to be adjusting well to his new environs.
The 6-foot-10 Kentucky product, 32, was traded to the Mavericks as the returning centerpiece in a deal that saw five-time All-NBA First Team guard Luka Doncic, 26, land with Davis’ old Lakers running mate LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis and Doncic were the headliners who moved for each other, but other pieces were also involved in the deal. 3-and-D shooting guard/small forward Max Christie, fresh off inking a new four-year deal with L.A., followed Davis to Dallas, as did the Lakers’ unprotected first-round pick 2029 NBA Draft. Given that Doncic will be all of 30 in 2029, the pick seems likely to land outside of the lottery.
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The Mavericks also traded injured rotation big man Maxi Kleber and deep-bench power forward Markieff Morris to the Lakers. Both clubs offloaded 2025 second-round picks to the Utah Jazz, who were roped in as a landing spot for ex-Lakers guard Jalen Hood-Schifino so that L.A. could clear roster space for the three new incoming additions.
Davis had been with the Lakers for five-and-a-half seasons, forging a bond with James in that time. The dynamic duo instantly won a championship during their first season together, 2019-20, and also made a second Western Conference Finals berth as a No. 7 seed in the 2022-23 season.
In an extended conversation with Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Davis explained that his relationship with James remains relatively unchanged even after the trade.
“Family is happy. Everybody is happy. It’s the nature of the business. Obviously, the first maybe 48 hours, it was just a shock because I wasn’t expecting it. Nobody was expecting it, so they say,” new Mavs star Anthony Davis talks Lakers trade & much more https://t.co/eLHmwaJLLU
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) March 28, 2025
“Ain’t no change for me. It’s a business,” Davis said. “People are saying that [James] knew [of the trade] because of the Marcus Morris [quote saying James knew] that comes out. [James] is saying he don’t. At this point, whether he knew or not or whoever knew, or it was quiet when [ESPN’s] Shams [Charania] dropped [the news], it doesn’t matter who knew. This s— happened.”
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The Lakers made a no-brainer move, adding a superstar player in or approaching his absolute prime and offloading an oft-hurt big man at the tail end of his.
Dallas fans were understandably furious at the deal, going so far as to stage elaborate protests of Mavericks ownership and management outside of the team’s homecourt, American Airlines Arena.
Three dudes brought a coffin to American Airlines Center. They’re playing “See You Again.” “Rest in peace to the Mavs.” pic.twitter.com/0Ndv26vGyb
— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) February 2, 2025
“You can’t change like, ‘Oh, [James] didn’t know, well let’s change it.’ It’s no going back,” Davis acknowledged to Spears. “But as far as our relationship, obviously, we were on the same team, so we talked all the time. But [the Lakers] are trying to make a push, we’re trying to make a push, so we don’t talk as much. But we still check in on each other. He texts me all the time.”
Other former Lakers teammates of Davis, as well as some members of James’ inner circle — apparently also stay in contact with Davis.
“[James’ chief of staff] Randy [Mims] hit me. Actually, they both just hit me. Vando [Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt] did. We still talk to those guys. I’ve been with [James] the longest, six-and-a-half years. We’ve been really close, but nothing has changed. Obviously, we don’t talk hang like we used to just because of the teams and stuff. But I’m sure we will get together over this summer and try to figure it out.”
Neither team feels quite complete after the deal. Los Angeles misses Davis’ interior defense, while Dallas could certainly use Doncic’s handle and creativity in the open court right about now.
The 44-29 Lakers, the Western Conference’s No. 4 seed, continue to make a concerted playoff push. The No. 10-seeded Mavericks, who lost nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving to a devastating ACL tear after the Doncic deal, have a 36-38 record on the year and are striving to stay afloat in the play-in tournament race.
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