In one of the most shocking NBA trades in recent memory, Anthony Davis was sent from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic late in the season.
The February blockbuster reshaped both franchises overnight, with Davis now donning a Mavericks jersey and the Lakers banking on a new era.
Jeanie Buss teases meeting Anthony Davis in the offseason
While the deal may have bolstered the Lakers’ mystique in the short term, it also fractured a long-standing relationship between Davis and the Lakers organization, one that owner Jeanie Buss appears unwilling to let go of completely.
Speaking recently on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Buss addressed her feelings toward Davis for the first time since the trade.
“I haven’t seen him face-to-face and I look forward to in the offseason,”Buss said.
“But you have to remember, he’s now under contract to another team. We’ve had too many instances of people accusing us of tampering, so I have to be really careful with stuff like that.”
Davis spent over five seasons in Los Angeles, helping to lead the team to an NBA championship in 2020 and serving as a cornerstone of the franchise alongside LeBron James.
Though injuries and inconsistency led to a rocky second half of his Lakers tenure, Davis still posted impressive averages, 24.8 points, 11 rebounds, and over 2 blocks per game, cementing himself as one of the most dominant big men in the league during that stretch.
Still, fan criticism and growing pressure contributed to his eventual departure, a move that reportedly caught Davis off guard.
Despite that, the Lakers remain committed to maintaining strong ties with their former stars, a principle instilled by the late Dr. Jerry Buss and one Jeanie continues to uphold.
While there’s no indication of a reunion with Davis on the horizon, Buss’ remarks suggest she values the personal relationships forged during a player’s time in purple and gold.
As the Lakers attempt to chart a new path forward, nurturing these connections could prove essential for future success, on and off the court.
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