In what felt like a full-circle moment for Lakers fans, Anthony Davis returned to the Los Angeles Lakers’ training facility this week, though under very different circumstances.
Just months after being traded to the Dallas Mavericks in one of the most shocking NBA deals in recent memory, Davis was back in LA, this time as a Maverick.
AD reps Mavs in familiar territory
The February blockbuster sent shockwaves through the league, with Luka Doncic unexpectedly landing in Los Angeles while Davis, Max Christie, and a future first-round pick went to Dallas.
Neither superstar had reportedly asked for the trade, but team strategies and long-term planning made the deal happen.
For Davis, the move aligned with his desire to return to the power forward position alongside traditional bigs like Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford.
Now, as both franchises enter the offseason after falling short of a deep playoff run, their paths crossed again during the Klutch Sports Pro Day, hosted fittingly at the Lakers’ own facility.
The Mavericks, who recently secured the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, had a visible presence at the event.
Head coach Jason Kidd, GM Nico Harrison, and other Dallas personnel were in attendance, accompanied by none other than Davis, sporting a Mavericks hat inside his old home court.
Social media quickly lit up as fans reacted to the visual juxtaposition.
Some welcomed Davis with affection, “Bring my guy back”, while others couldn’t hide their surprise.
“Weird seeing AD in Mavs gear out in LA…” one fan wrote, echoing the general sentiment of many.
Davis joined the Lakers in 2019 and played a crucial role in their 2020 championship run.
Though his time in LA ended unexpectedly, he’s quickly settled into his new role in Dallas, now sharing the court with stars like Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson.
With the Mavericks expected to select Duke phenom Cooper Flagg in the upcoming draft, the team looks set for a strong bounce-back season.
Meanwhile, Davis’ appearance at the Klutch event symbolized both the business side of the NBA and the lingering ties players maintain with former franchises.
Even after a seismic trade, the connection between player and city doesn’t always disappear, and for many Lakers fans, Anthony Davis’ return, however brief, was a moment worth noting.
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