When Anthony Davis was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks, it sent shockwaves across the NBA. The deal, headlined by Luka Doncic’s blockbuster move to L.A., blindsided even Davis, who had settled in Los Angeles, built his brand, starred in multiple TV shows, and had no indication his time with the franchise was nearing an end.
Now, with Wednesday marking his first matchup against the Lakers since that stunning trade, Davis offered a response that was as cold as it was telling:
“No emotions.”
For Lakers fans, those two words are bittersweet. Davis was a pillar of the franchise’s identity for nearly six seasons. Alongside LeBron James, he delivered the 2020 championship in the Orlando bubble, the franchise’s 17th title, tied with the Boston Celtics for the most in NBA history. Davis also helped capture the inaugural NBA Cup and earned multiple All-NBA and All-Defensive First Team honors in purple and gold.
He was considered a Lakers legend in real time, not just in hindsight.
Yet business is business. When Luka Doncic, a generational playmaker, became available amid turmoil in Dallas, the Lakers couldn’t pass up the opportunity. The front office, under new head coach JJ Redick, had already pivoted toward making Davis the centerpiece of both their offensive and defensive schemes.
But when Luka’s name entered trade conversations, everything changed. Davis was stunned—and understandably so. Even now, it’s unclear whether LeBron or anyone else in the Lakers’ core knew the deal was imminent.
Since joining the Mavericks, Davis has had to battle through injury adversity once again. He hurt himself during his debut and was initially expected to sit out the remainder of the regular season.
But true to his reputation for toughness, Davis returned earlier than anticipated. And in his seven games back, he’s made an instant impact: averaging 20.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. The Mavs are 5-2 in those contests, and Davis looks more comfortable each night.
Wednesday’s game against the Lakers won’t change Davis’ legacy in L.A., but it will be a defining moment in his Mavericks tenure. Not because of revenge or sentimentality—he’s made it clear he isn’t playing into that storyline—but because this is an opportunity to show he can lead a different contender into battle, with no emotional baggage clouding his mission.
The Mavericks are still fighting for playoff positioning in a tightly packed Western Conference. With Luka now in Los Angeles, Davis is the unquestioned star in Dallas, and how far they go will hinge on his ability to carry them.
There may be “no emotions,” but there’s no doubt Wednesday will be personal—even if Davis doesn’t let it show.
