NBA: Davis ‘over’ Lakers bombshell trade and ready to give his all for Mavericks

The Mavericks have picked up an elite center despite losing Luka Doncic.

Anthony Davis of the Dallas Mavericks

Anthony Davis was enjoying a movie night with his wife when he discovered the Los Angeles Lakers were trading him to the Dallas Mavericks.

Just hours earlier, he had watched his Lakers secure a big victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

But the call from Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick brought news that left him stunned: he had been traded to the Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic.

“I was shocked,” Davis admitted, donning a full Mavericks tracksuit after Dallas’ morning shootaround at Wells Fargo Center ahead of their matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. I had no idea.

“I had just sent the team a text about congratulations on the win against the Knicks, big win, and then looking forward to Tuesday’s game against the Clippers, as far as standing purposes. And then, found out like an hour later I was no longer with the team. I was in shock, obviously. Had no idea that it was happening.

“But, I mean, now I’m kind of over it, and just kind of getting ready to play with Dallas.”

Though Davis won’t be suiting up for the Mavericks on Tuesday due to an abdominal strain, he is aiming to make his debut later this week.

Davis indicated his return could happen Thursday against the Boston Celtics or at home Saturday when the Mavericks face the Houston Rockets.

“I’ll go through a workout today, see how I feel, and depending on that, get another one in tomorrow,” Davis added. “And then depending on that, see how I feel.

“If not Thursday, then more than likely Saturday at home.”

The trade has sent shockwaves through the NBA community, leaving fans and players alike grappling with the sudden move.

Even Davis’ new teammate Kyrie Irving couldn’t resist teasing him during media availability, playfully urging reporters to “take it easy” on the nine-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA honoree. Davis had been averaging 25.7 points and 11.9 rebounds this season, arguably the best performance of his career.

Davis is optimistic about replicating that success alongside Irving in Dallas. Davis will now also be reunited with head coach Jason Kidd, under whom he won his sole NBA Championship in 2020 when Kidd was an assistant coach with the Lakers.

“Nico believes in me and what I can add to this team,” Davis said of Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison. “We are both extremely excited about what we can do, and I think we have a great opportunity to win a championship.”

In Dallas, Davis will return to his preferred position of power forward – a role he has long favoured but seldom played in recent years.

“Right now I’m just excited to get back to playing basketball,” Davis added. “Obviously, dealing with the whole trade thing, but also just the injury. Anytime that I’m out on the floor, I feel better. I haven’t played power forward in a long time with another big. We saw some spurts in LA with Jaxson [Hayes], but to be back naturally at the 4, I’m excited to see how it goes.”

Davis also waived his $6 million trade bonus as part of the deal, a move he made voluntarily to give the Mavericks more flexibility in shaping their roster around him and Irving.

“Trying to help the team,” Davis said. “Obviously, you always want to get better, and losing a monumental piece like Luka… it’s a lot, right? So I’m just trying to do my part and help Nico and the organization on how we can continuously get better. That’s just always the right thing to do.”

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Mitch Fretton

Mitch is a freelance sports journalist with experience working for LiveScore, GOAL and Colchester United. He has experience working from both his desk at home and in the press box at games covering the Champions League and international football.

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