Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss opened up about the Luka Doncic–Anthony Davis NBA trade during an appearance on NPR.
Buss implied that Davis “wasn’t happy” in Los Angeles.
“We gave up a lot to get Luka Dončić,” Buss said. “We’re happy we have him. 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. Anthony Davis was complaining about where he was being played and he wasn’t happy. So I think this was a positive for both teams. They got what they were looking for; we got what we were looking for. And I didn’t realize it was going to be international news like it was, but that’s the power of the Laker brand and its ability to draw big names who want to write their own chapter in Lakers history.”
According to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic, Davis’ public comments about wanting a center caused “serious frustration” within the Lakers front office.
Davis helped the Lakers win the 2020 championship at the Walt Disney World bubble in his first season with the team. He played the power forward spot, with Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee playing the center position.
A Chicago native, Davis wanted the Lakers to trade for a center, but the front office never did.
One of the top players in NBA history, Davis appeared in 312 games with the Lakers. He averaged 24.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.2 blocks and made four All-Star teams.
The Doncic trade has benefited the Lakers immensely. They are 7-2 with Doncic in the lineup and look like title contenders.
Los Angeles (39-21) is in second place in the West.
Doncic is averaging 22.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists with the Lakers. He already has a stellar rapport with LeBron James, both on and off the court.
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