Anthony Davis was part of one of the most shocking trades in recent NBA history. Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, with his longtime friend and Los Angeles Lakers counterpart Rob Pelinka, surprised everyone.
But it wasn’t just the outside world caught off guard. The Mavs big man revealed he had no idea the trade was happening, either.
Anthony Davis Shares His Feelings on Blockbuster Trade
Luka Dončić, a perennial MVP candidate, was long considered untradeable. But Harrison showed his aggressive style by pulling off the move. In return, the Mavs got Davis, 22-year-old shooting guard Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
In a recent interview with Mavs TV, the 10-time NBA All-Star shared how he processed the blockbuster deal after spending five and a half seasons with the Lakers.
“At the end of the day, it’s a business. And I understand that,” Davis said.
AD on how he's processed the trade:
"I was just more shocked ‘cause I never knew that man, why would they trade me?”
“Both of us [he and Luka] probably never thought we’d get traded unless we asked.”
maaaan 😭
Video from: Mavs TV pic.twitter.com/bGhSt6xyGU
— Nicole Ganglani (@nicoleganglani) March 8, 2025
“I was just more shocked ‘cause I never knew that, man. Why would they trade me? Both of us [he and Luka] probably never thought we’d be the ones to get traded unless we asked.”
“I’m more in the present. I’m focused on the Mavs. I think what helps me is being around the guys, being around the team.”
Davis Sends Special Message to Mavericks Fans
During his Mavs TV interview, Davis didn’t just reflect on the trade. The 2020 NBA champion also had a message for Dallas fans.
“I know who I am as a player,” he said. “I’m top 75 of all time, and I just want to let the Dallas fans know, like, ‘Hey, I got you, I’m here now.’ I know you lost a superstar in Luka, but you also gained a superstar like myself.”
The Mavericks are dealing with several injuries, including one to Kyrie Irving. They sit 10th in the Western Conference with a 32-32 record. On Sunday at American Airlines Center, they face the Phoenix Suns as both teams fight to keep their play-in hopes alive.
What Is Davis’ Timeline To Return to Action?
Davis has been out since straining his adductor 31 minutes into his Dallas debut on Feb. 8. He recorded 26 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists in less than three quarters of action before exiting with a non-contact injury.
The team said the 31-year-old is improving and will be re-evaluated weekly. However, the Mavericks’ timeline complicates matters further beyond Davis’ injury.
Given Irving’s season-ending injury, the Mavericks are in a position where they are staring down the barrel of elimination from not just playoff contention but play-in contention. If the Mavericks decide the season is not worth saving, it’s hard to justify rushing Davis back instead of giving him extra time to heal, especially with him under contract for the 2025-26 season.
“It’s very possible that Anthony Davis has played his last game this season for the Mavericks,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said. “But I’m told that he’s continuing to go through his rehab to see if there’s a potential window for return late in the season.”
“But there are two very tricky factors at play here. On one side, with Anthony Davis, this is a soft tissue injury, so they need to ensure he’s 100% and doesn’t risk further injuries. On the other side is where the Mavs will be in the standings. If they are still in the playoff picture, does it make sense to bring him back?”
The Mavericks’ decision remains to be seen, but if they rest Davis for the remainder of the season, it could put them in a better position for the 2025 NBA Draft, in which they own their own first-round pick. This would be similar to the 2022-23 season, when Dončić rested and the Mavs drafted Dereck Lively II, expediting their run to the 2024 NBA Finals.