Mavericks' Anthony Davis criticized by NBA champion for something out of his control

Anthony Davis showed up to Dallas Mavericks training camp up 15 pounds heavier than his normal playing weight, and it's showing on his frame, too. When the team traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, it was partially due to not taking conditioning seriously, and now Davis is showing up out of shape.

That has led to criticism from NBA champion and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, who believed Davis would be out to prove a point this season.

"I'm very disappointed or a little disappointed in Anthony Davis because I thought he would come in and be on a mission," Perkins said.

"I'm very disappointed or a little disappointed in Anthony Davis because I thought he would come in and be on a mission."@KendrickPerkins weighs in on Anthony Davis and his fitness coming into training camp 👀 pic.twitter.com/NRTlOCcjI4
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 2, 2025

Perkins brings up the fact that Davis was traded for an international superstar, a trade that was and still is heavily criticized, and that there is a first overall pick on the roster in Cooper Flagg that Davis is setting a bad example for.

What Perkins fails to mention, however, is that Davis had a procedure this offseason to repair a detached retina in his eye, and was unable to basically move for weeks. There are severe limitations, because something as simple as sweat dropping into that eye could hinder any progress being made, he had to keep his head as still as possible, and other things. He likely couldn't even fly for a month or two.

Davis returned to the court just a week or two before training camp started, and it may take him a little bit of time to get back into playing shape.

Anthony Davis Not Concerned About His Current Weight

Davis was asked about his weight earlier in the week, and he said he usually comes into camp a little heavier and works it off in camp, so he's not worried about what he's at currently.

"I feel good. I kind of almost going into every season, because I put on so much weight over the summer, then by the time November comes, I'm usually like 255, 258," Davis explained. "I never want to come in at my playing weight, because then I lose weight during the season and then I'm too small. I lose about 10 to 12 pounds very quickly. During camp, I already lost five pounds – all the running and playing. So I'm never concerned about that. I feel great. I'm moving great. I feel good."

Anthony Davis on his weight going into camp:

“I feel good….I'm usually like 255, 258. I never want to come in at my playing weight because then I lose weight during the season and then I'm too small. I lose about 10 to 12 pounds very quickly.” #MFFL pic.twitter.com/oxDtjqqv84
— DLLS Mavs (@DLLS_Mavs) October 2, 2025

There are still about three weeks until the seasson starts, so there's plenty of time for him to get into playing shape and round back into form. He also has to get used to playing with goggles after the eye surgery, something that he said he's already prepared for if they break.

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