The NBA world was stunned when Luka Don?i? was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. But what made the move even more shocking was the widespread claim that neither Don?i?, Davis, nor Lakers superstar LeBron James knew about the trade beforehand.
Now that some time has passed, Davis appears skeptical about just how much secrecy really surrounded the deal. While he has publicly stated that he is ready to move forward with the Mavericks, his recent comments suggest that he isn’t entirely convinced that the trade was as under-the-radar as it was made out to be.
Davis Questions the Narrative: “I Don’t Believe It”
Speaking to The Los Angeles Times after watching his former team defeat his new team, the Mavericks, 107-99, Davis expressed his doubts about the supposed lack of awareness among players and executives.
“The front office has to do what it has to do, and obviously they’re going to do what’s best for the organization,” Davis said. “So I don’t know if I ever got the ‘real’ about any of it. I don’t know what’s true or what’s not, coming from upstairs.”
Davis revealed that in the immediate aftermath of the trade, his first reaction was to FaceTime LeBron James—his longtime running mate in Los Angeles—to gauge what he knew about the deal. Reports initially suggested that neither James nor Don?i? were aware of the trade before it was finalized. However, Davis isn’t convinced.
“Everybody’s saying nobody knew and all this other s–t,” he continued. “I just don’t believe it. But, hey man, I’m past that. I’m ready to move forward with Dallas, try to get a championship there with these guys. First off, getting back on the floor and getting ready to compete.”
Despite his frustration with how things unfolded, Davis admitted that his initial shock over the trade only lasted for a short time.
“All the emotions, that s–t lasted that night when it was just a shock.”
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Davis’ Mavs Debut and Injury Setback
Davis quickly made an impact in his debut with the Mavericks on February 8 against the Houston Rockets, showcasing his dominant two-way ability with:
- 26 points
- 16 rebounds
- 7 assists
- 3 blocked shots
His performance helped Dallas secure a 116-105 victory, but the excitement was short-lived. Davis exited in the third quarter with what was later diagnosed as an adductor injury, a setback that is expected to sideline him for multiple weeks.
Lakers Honor Davis with Tribute
Even though Davis wasn’t on the floor for Tuesday’s Lakers-Mavericks matchup, his former team took a moment to thank him for his contributions, including helping deliver a 2020 NBA championship to Los Angeles. The Lakers paid tribute to his time in purple and gold with a heartfelt video message.
As Davis now focuses on his recovery and acclimating to his new team, his skepticism about the trade’s secrecy lingers.
Whether or not front offices and players knew more than they let on, the move has already reshaped the landscape of the NBA—and Davis is determined to help bring another championship to Dallas.
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