While many have already moved on from the shocking Feb. 2 blockbuster trade involving Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic, and the Dallas Mavericks, fascinating new details about the deal recently emerged.
Per an NBA Insider, Davis may not be among the losers of the groundbreaking deal after all.
“So I was with AD actually three days before the trade,” Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson reported on Dec. 20. “I can tell this story before the trade. I remember he did an interview with ESPN where he talked about not liking his fit at the five.”
"He wanted to play more four than five. And I was at an arena, and he was stretching, he was on the floor — I'm giving you the edited version.”
“I said, 'I see you.' He goes, 'What're you talking about?' I said, 'I saw that interview you did.' He goes, 'Oh you saw that (expletive) that honey ice tea, right?' I go, 'Yeah.' He goes, 'Huh.' He finishes stretching. When the trade came across, I said, 'Huh.”
Essentially, while Davis was blindsided by the Lakers’ decision to trade him to the Mavericks a few days before last season’s trade deadline, the 17-time NBA champions ultimately granted him his wish.
Davis has never been a natural center, but for whatever reason, the Lakers insisted on playing the 10-time All-Star out of position.
Thanks to Davis’ impressive adaptability, the Kentucky product thrived while occupying Los Angeles’ starting power forward spot.
Still, Davis, who averaged 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks to close his Lakers tenure, wasn’t pleased with the franchise’s refusal to move him to the four.
Although the Mavericks’ 2025-26 season doesn’t look promising, Davis is getting an opportunity to do what he couldn’t while competing with the Lakers: play power forward.
That should help the 6-foot-10 big man feel better about Los Angeles parting ways with him without warning.
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