Mavs’ Anthony Davis Says Lakers ‘Did What They Had To Do,’ But Has No Inside Info On Trade

February 27, 2025

With the NBA world still processing the Luka Doncic–Anthony Davis trade, Davis says he just wants to keep moving forward.

The new Dallas Mavericks forward spoke to Broderick Turner of the LA Times after Tuesday’s emotional game between the Mavericks and the Lakers — the first meeting between the two teams since the trade.

While Doncic got his revenge by posting a triple-double in the Lakers’ 107-99 win, Davis sat on the bench, sidelined with an adductor injury, and watched a tribute video set up by the Lakers.

“If I was playing, it would have been a little bit more emotional for me,” Davis told Turner. “I think that it was really dope for the Lakers to do, obviously, and I’m honored and appreciative, for them even considering to do that for me.”

Davis added that he processed the trade quickly, understanding that it was “the nature of the business.” However, even now, Davis said he’s unsure of exactly how everything unfolded.

“The front office has to do what it has to do and obviously they’re going to do what’s best for the organization. So I don’t know if I ever got the ‘real’ about any of it,” he said. “I don’t know what’s true or what’s not, coming from upstairs. Everybody’s saying nobody knew and all this other s***. I just don’t believe it.”

Still, Davis said he’s ready to move on and focus on his career with Dallas.

“They wanted who they wanted. They did what they had to do,” Davis said. “I don’t know if they had to, but it’s what they wanted to do. I moved on. I got a wife and kids to worry about, you know what I’m saying? And I’m figuring out how I’m going to get them to Dallas and get adjusted to that.”

“It’s over with, and I’m moving on with my new team and what we got going on.”