Anthony Davis says the Los Angeles Lakers encouraged him to add significant weight as he took on a larger role at center, a change he believes affected how he felt and played on the court.
Davis explained that he had typically played at around 250 to 255 pounds but reached approximately 265 to 268 pounds while preparing to battle bigger centers such as Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic.
“I had always played like 250, 255. And that year, I had gotten to like 265. And it was like, I didn’t like it. It was actually probably like 268. I didn’t like it. I’m like, bro, I can’t play like this. I feel heavy,” Davis said.
The eight-time All-Star said he tried to lose some of the added weight during the season, but found it difficult while continuing to play at an NBA level.
Davis also suggested the additional muscle affected his shooting and overall feel on the court. The decision to add weight was connected to his responsibilities at center, where he was regularly matched against some of the league’s biggest players.
Davis eventually asked the Lakers to add another big man so that he could return to playing more power forward. According to Davis, that request did not lead to the roster change he wanted.
“And then that’s when I went and was like, hey, man, I want another big and all this stuff. And, you know, it just didn’t happen, whatever,” Davis said.
Davis spent much of his Lakers tenure moving between power forward and center. He played power forward in 2019-20 and 2020-21, while his role shifted more heavily toward center from 2021-22 through 2023-24.
His numbers remained strong during that stretch. Davis averaged 23.2 points and 9.9 rebounds in 2021-22, followed by 25.9 points and 12.5 rebounds in 2022-23. In 2023-24, he posted 24.7 points and 12.6 rebounds while earning All-NBA Second Team and All-Defensive First Team honors.
He returned to a power-forward role after being traded to the Dallas Mavericks during the 2024-25 season. Davis averaged 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds in 20 games for Dallas in 2025-26 before being traded to the Washington Wizards.
Davis now enters the 2026-27 season in Washington alongside another established center in Deandre Ayton, potentially giving him the opportunity to spend more time at power forward.
“Now that I’m able to, like you guys will see, like when you put me against another, alongside another big, man, it’s like it’s a different, you know, ball game for me,” Davis said. “It’s a different dynamic. I’m excited.”
