Anthony Davis, once the cornerstone of the Los Angeles Lakers, is now settling into his new role with the Dallas Mavericks following a blockbuster trade.
The February 2 trade, which shocked the NBA world, saw Davis, along with Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, traded to Dallas in exchange for Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris. The deal, marking the first time two reigning All-NBA players were traded for each other midseason, sent shockwaves through the league.
In a recent interview with Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Davis opened up about his emotional journey during the first 48 hours after the trade. Initially, Davis described the experience as a “shock,” revealing that neither he nor his team was prepared for the move. Despite the surprise, Davis emphasized the importance of adapting to the situation.
“It was just a shock because I wasn’t expecting it. Nobody was expecting it, so they say. But I know from my side, my team and my family and everybody who works with me, I wasn’t expecting it,” Davis shared. The unexpected nature of the trade left Davis reeling, especially given the timing of the deal. At the time of the trade, the Lakers were in the midst of a successful campaign, sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference.
The magnitude of the trade didn’t stop Davis from quickly adjusting to his new team. He admitted that while the change was initially overwhelming, his mindset was to help lead the Mavericks to success, despite being thrust into a leadership role almost immediately. “I know what Luka meant to the [Mavericks] organization, to the team,” Davis said. “So, it’s like, what do I say to these guys coming in as a new leader and trying to lead these guys to do something special?”
Davis also discussed his approach to connecting with his new teammates. “I wasn’t playing, so I just tried to feel everybody out and just kind of let it happen organically,” he said. His efforts paid off, with Davis noting that he quickly formed a strong bond with the team. “Now we got a super-tight bond, man, with all the guys,” he said. The 32-year-old star, known for his dominant presence on the court, expressed his gratitude for the new opportunity, adding, “I’m happy, man. Happy I get to play.”
Davis’ debut for the Mavericks came on February 8, in a 116-105 victory over the Houston Rockets. In a stellar performance, he posted 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks. His performance hinted at what’s to come, but his time with the Mavericks was short-lived due to an injury. Davis strained his left adductor in the game, an injury that is expected to sideline him for multiple weeks.
