The NBA world was stunned when the Los Angeles Lakers traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic prior to the 2024-25 deadline.
It was a seismic deal, shaking up the league and reshaping two franchises. But while fans debated the trade, no one was more blindsided than Davis himself.
Appearing on “The Draymond Green Show,” the 33-year-old reflected on his initial disbelief. According to Davis, he didn’t immediately trust his agent, Rich Paul, when told about the deal.
“Rich Paul called me on the phone and was like, ‘They just traded you to Dallas.’ I’m like, shut up,” Davis recounted.
“But like, I know because I spoke to Rich before, like, man. Luka is so cold, bro. We used to talk about Luka all the time. Be like imagine me with Luka, like oh my god… I was like, Luka man. If I ever got with Luka, oh gosh.”
For Davis, it was a surreal twist. The notion of joining forces with Luka Doncic had been a fantasy, and suddenly, it became reality, but in a way he hadn’t anticipated.
“And so when [Paul] said traded to Dallas, I was like, ‘Get the f** out of here.’ And I said, ‘Who the f** they going to trade me for Luka, n****?’ Who else can you trade me for on that team? Mind you, [the Dallas Mavericks] just went to the Finals. And there was never no discussion we might get AD out of here, or it was nothing. He was like, ‘They traded you for Luka.’ I’m like, ‘Rich, shut the hell up.’ I’m really thinking he’s just playing. And he was like, ‘Man, I swear.'”
From Lakers cornerstone to Mavericks shuffle: Davis’s rocky journey continues
After the trade, Anthony Davis‘ NBA journey became unpredictable.
The Mavericks eventually sent him to the Washington Wizards before the 2025-26 season deadline, transforming a franchise cornerstone into a player chasing stability.
In his 20 games with Dallas this season, Davis is averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 blocks, while shooting 50.6% from the field and 27% from three-point range.
Those stats remain solid but reflect a player whose role has shifted dramatically.
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic has taken over as the offensive centerpiece for the Los Angeles Lakers, guiding the team into a new era while leaving the LeBron-Davis partnership in the rearview.
For Davis, the trade was a mixture of shock, disbelief, and the reality of how quickly fortunes can change in the NBA.
From dreaming about teaming up with Doncic to being traded for him, Davis’s story underscores the unpredictable nature of the league and the emotional toll of blockbuster moves.
Even for a seasoned All-Star, the trade remains a defining, and humbling, moment in his career.
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