Jeanie Buss, the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, opened up about the trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. The trade, one of the most talked-about in recent NBA history, saw Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick head to Dallas in exchange for Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris.
In an interview with A Martínez on Texas Public Radio’s Morning Edition, Buss explained the reasoning behind the blockbuster deal. “We gave up a lot to get Luka Doncic. We’re happy we have him,” Buss said. “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.”
Buss also touched on Davis’s frustrations prior to the trade. “Anthony Davis was complaining about where he was being played and he wasn’t happy,” Buss revealed. “So I think this was a positive for both teams. They got what they were looking for; we got what we were looking for.”
The deal, which took place on February 2, shocked the basketball world, marking the first time two reigning All-NBA players were traded for each other midseason. The Mavericks sent Davis to Los Angeles along with Kleber and Morris, while Doncic, the centerpiece of the Lakers’ new era, joined the Purple and Gold.
Since the trade, both teams have seen dramatic changes. Davis made his Mavericks debut on February 8, in a win over the Houston Rockets, posting 26 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks. However, his performance was marred by a strained left adductor, which could be the end of his season.
Before the trade, Davis was having a standout season with the Lakers. Averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, he was a dominant force in Los Angeles. Despite his impressive stats, the Lakers have surged to second place in the Western Conference without him, and the trade has opened a new chapter for the team.
On the other hand, the Mavericks, now sitting at 10th in the Western Conference with a 32-31 record, have struggled since acquiring Davis. Injuries have continued to plague the team, with Kyrie Irving also sidelined for the remainder of the season due to an ACL injury.
