Lakers’ Jeanie Buss Reveals if Anthony Davis' Center Request Led to His Trade

The Lakers owner spoke out about whether or not the star center's request played a part in trading him away.

Feb 23, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) warms up before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images | John Hefti-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers made the biggest NBA trade of the decade when they were able to ship Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic. It was a trade that looks even better now for the Lakers with how well they have been playing since acquiring him.

Davis got hurt in his first game with the Mavericks and might not play again this season now that Kyrie Irving is out for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, the Lakers have won 13 of their last 15 games.

No one saw this trade coming. People are still trying to figure out reasons why it happened.

Read more: Lakers Rumors: $14M Center Listed as Trade Target For LA This Summer

Jeanie Buss was as surprised as anyone that Doncic was available in a trade. She was happy that everyone was able to keep it quiet.

There are those who wonder if Davis' very public demand of wanting a center to start next to him led to him being more available than other teams thought.

Buss broke her silence on her feelings about Davis now that the dust on the trade has finally settled a couple of weeks past the All-Star break.

"We have lost the last three years in a row to the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs, and we really didn't have anything that was going to look different going into the playoffs again. Anthony Davis was complaining about where he was being played and he wasn't happy. So I think this was a positive for both teams."

More Lakers news: Former Lakers Star Anthony Davis Could Be Out for Year After Just One Game With Mavericks

Buss was clearly rubbed the wrong way with Davis' demand to have a center next to him. The Lakers thought all along that Davis was best utilized as a center instead of a power forward.

Now, the Lakers have someone who can be the face of their franchise for the next decade, and Davis can play with a center next to him. Buss seems to think that things worked out for both parties.

If Davis doesn't play again this year, he averaged 25.7 points, 12 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game this season with the Lakers and the Mavs.

More Los Angeles Lakers news: Lakers Former Playoff Rival Believes LA Could Reach NBA Finals This Year

Lakers' LeBron James Becomes First Player in NBA History to Score 50K Career Points

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.