Anthony Davis Reveals Details About Conversation With Luka Doncic After Lakers Win

The former Laker big man revealed what he told the player he was traded for following an emotional night in Dallas.

Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) hugs Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) after the game at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Luka Doncic never expected to be traded from the Dallas Mavericks. He thought he was going to spend his entire career with the Mavs.

The fans expected him to stay in Dallas forever, too. He was supposed to be the next Dirk Nowitzki, a teammate of his briefly.

That all changed when he was shockingly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers just a couple of weeks before the trade deadline. He will now be the face of that franchise for the next deacde.

Doncic has already proven just how valuable he can be for the Lakers, putting up huge numbers. He is a top-five player in the league.

Read more: Lakers' Luka Doncic Breaks Down Emotions in Return to Dallas

For the first time since the trade, Doncic returned to Dallas on Wednesday night. He had a magnificent game, putting in 45 points en route to helping the Lakers beat the Mavericks.

Following the game, Doncic talked with the player he was traded for, Anthony Davis. Davis revealed what he told Doncic following the game in Dallas, which featured a lot of emotion.

"Both of us were caught off [guard], surprised by [the trade]," Davis said. "But that was two months ago. It happened. There's nothing we can do about it now. Just told him, 'Good game.' He played a hell of a game. Just a respect thing."

Davis clearly wasn't expecting to get traded, either. He wanted to continue his career in Los Angeles to play alongside LeBron James until James decided to retire.

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Davis did not play nearly as well as Doncic in this matchup of players going against their former teams. He had just 13 points in this game.

The Lakers will continue to reap the benefits of trading for Doncic, including in the playoffs this season. He gives them a shot to win any playoff series they play in.

With the Lakers currently slotted at third in the West, they feel good about their ability to advance in the first round of the playoffs.

Since being acquired by the Lakers, Doncic is averaging 27.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game.

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