Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie is speaking out in defense of Anthony Davis following the criticism of the blockbuster trade that sent the Lakers star to Dallas. On the Club 520 Podcast, Dinwiddie strongly pushed back against the negative reactions surrounding Davis’ move from Los Angeles to the Mavericks.
“They’re acting like AD is a bum, that’s the crazy part,” Dinwiddie remarked, via HoopsHype. “You could feel however you want about the trade—win, lose, better for now, better for the future, whatever it may be—but we’ve got to stop acting like AD isn’t AD, bro. We got to stop.”
This comment comes in the wake of a trade that has rocked the NBA world. On February 2, the Mavericks acquired Davis, along with Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, in exchange for Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris. The trade also included a 2025 second-round pick to the Utah Jazz, who in turn acquired Jalen Hood-Schifino and another second-round pick from the Lakers.
While the trade was historic—marking the first time two reigning All-NBA players were traded for one another midseason—it has sparked debate. Critics have questioned whether Dallas gave up too much to bring in Davis, especially after the Mavericks parted ways with Doncic, their franchise cornerstone.
Despite the initial backlash, Dinwiddie remains firm in his support of Davis. He acknowledged that while Doncic is an incredible offensive player—calling him “probably the best offensive player in the NBA right now”—he believes Davis is one of the NBA’s top two-way players.
“AD might be the best two-way player,” Dinwiddie continued. “Probably him and Giannis (Antetokounmpo). So it’s a tough position to be in. But AD is still AD.”
In his first game with the Mavericks on February 8, Davis made an immediate impact, contributing 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks in a 116-105 win over the Houston Rockets. Despite his impressive debut, Davis injured his left adductor during the game, and his return to the court is expected to be delayed for several weeks.
Though Davis has only appeared in three games for Dallas thus far, he has averaged 17.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 4 assists in 28.7 minutes per game. The Mavericks (36-38) currently sit 10th in the Western Conference, with Davis continuing to recover from the injury.
Meanwhile, Doncic’s numbers have remained stable since his trade to the Lakers. The 26-year-old superstar is averaging 27.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.8 assists in 34.8 minutes per game, down from his previous averages of 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists in 35.7 minutes with Dallas.
The trade has certainly shaken up the NBA landscape, with fans and analysts alike speculating on whether it will benefit both teams in the long run. Dinwiddie, however, is resolute in his belief that Davis remains an elite player despite the early criticisms.
As Davis works through his injury, the Mavericks will need to rely on him heavily when he returns. With the team fighting for a spot in the Western Conference playoff race, the upcoming games could determine how well the Davis trade pays off for Dallas.
