Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] Anthony Davis recently opened up about his feelings regarding the Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to trade him, and he suggested there may still be some lingering frustration.
Speaking with The Los Angeles Times’ Broderick Turner, Davis admitted he was caught off guard by the blockbuster deal that sent him to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic.
He tried to get clarity from LeBron James but remained skeptical about the official explanations he received from the Lakers’ front office.
“The front office has to do what it has to do, and obviously, they’re going to do what’s best for the organization,” Davis said.
“So I don’t know if I ever got the ‘real’ about any of it. I don’t know what’s true or what’s not, coming from upstairs. So, my thing is, I’m gonna go to my counterpart who I’ve been running with and see what’s going on, get his reaction, and that’s all it was. We had a conversation. That was it.”
Davis also questioned the narrative that no one saw the trade coming.
“Everybody’s saying nobody knew and all this other s—. I just don’t believe it. But, hey man, I’m past that.”
By most accounts, the trade was quietly negotiated between Mavericks GM Nico Harrison and Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, with a tight inner circle to prevent leaks that could have derailed the deal.
Even Mavs coach Jason Kidd reportedly wasn’t looped in until it was nearly finalized.
Given that Davis had no indication he was even on the trading block, his skepticism is understandable.
The Lakers may have simply seized a rare opportunity to acquire Doncic, but that doesn’t make the move any less jarring for a player of Davis’ stature.
Despite any lingering emotions, Davis has publicly taken the high road. Now, his focus shifts to getting healthy and proving himself to Mavericks fans in his new chapter.