Did Anthony Davis Sneakily Get What He Wanted in Lakers-Mavericks Trade?

Nov 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) as he handles the ball in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Former Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis is thriving with the Dallas Mavericks — when he's healthy enough to play.

Through 16 available contests for the 12-22 Mavericks this year, the 6-foot-10 Kentucky product has been averaging 20.5 points on .521/.323/.710 shooting splits, 10.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals per.

Davis is out right now with a groin strain, speaking of.

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Last season, the 32-year-old was flipped to Dallas — along with 3-and-D wing Max Christie and a single first-round draft pick — to LA for five-time All-NBA First Team guard Luka Doncic (six years Davis' junior), reserve big Maxi Kleber, and ex-Lakers forward Markieff Morris.

Davis, who had been injured heading to Dallas, got hurt during his first "healthy" game with the Mavericks. All told, he played just 51 of a possible 82 contests for the Lakers and Mavericks in 2024-25.

This year, Doncic looks like an MVP with the 20-10 Lakers. The team's flawed roster lacks a big defensive wing, but it hasn't stopped Doncic from flourishing.

Davis' Lakers Grievances

Per NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson, Davis was already growing frustrated even before the official end of his Lakers tenure. He had been installed as pretty much LA's full-time center since the end of his Frank Vogel run in 2021-22, and was apparently annoyed at taking all that interior contact.

His declining jump shot and added weight made him a bit of an awkward fit at power forward, but he didn't see it that way.

"So I was with AD actually three days before the trade. I can tell this story before the trade. I remember he did an interview with ESPN where he talked about not liking his fit at the five," Robinson said. "He wanted to play more four than five. And I was at an arena and he was stretching, he was on the floor — I'm giving you the edited version."

This was likely the Lakers' 134-96 blowout of the Washington Wizards on Jan. 30, which took place three days before the first Mavericks game Davis would have been eligible to play (he was hurt — are we sensing a theme?), a 144-101 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 2.

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"I said, 'I see you.' He goes, 'What're you talking about?' I said, 'I saw that interview you did.' He goes, 'Oh you saw that s---, that honey ice tea, right?' I go, 'Yeah.' He goes, 'Huh.' He finishes stretching," Robinson said. "When the trade came across I said, 'Huh.'"

Maybe Davis was happy for a fresh start, and for the opportunity to play with a club that allowed him to jump at the four. So what if the Mavericks aren't particularly good?

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