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[Saba Sports News] The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a convincing 112-97 win over the Dallas Mavericks in one of the most anticipated regular season games of the year.
Much of the buzz centered around Luka Doncic’s emotional return to Dallas following his blockbuster trade. But it also marked the first time Anthony Davis faced off against his former Lakers teammates since being sent to the Mavericks in the same deal.
While Doncic’s presence understandably grabbed the headlines, Davis’ return to Los Angeles didn’t go unnoticed. A key figure in the Lakers’ 2020 championship run, Davis remains well-liked by many of his ex-teammates. After the game, he was seen chatting and embracing several of them—but notably not LeBron James.
That omission raised eyebrows. Davis and LeBron were once close, both on and off the court. It’s possible, of course, that the two chose to keep their interaction private. In fact, Davis reportedly learned about the trade while having dinner with LeBron in New York, which suggests the bond wasn’t entirely broken.
Still, fans have speculated about a rift, fueled in part by Davis’ cryptic comments. He’s expressed skepticism about how “in the dark” everyone claims to have been during the trade process—comments many interpreted as subtle jabs at LeBron.
“Everybody’s saying nobody knew and all this other sh*t. I just don’t believe it. But, hey man, I’m past that. I’m ready to move forward with Dallas, try to get a championship there with these guys.”
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss publicly denied that LeBron had any influence over the decision to trade Davis for Doncic. But critics, including Stephen A. Smith and former NBA player Marcus Morris Sr., have openly questioned that narrative.
Davis recently tried to put the speculation to rest, telling reporters that his relationship with LeBron and the rest of the Lakers remains intact.
“Ain’t no change for me. It’s a business… Whether he knew or not, or whoever knew—it doesn’t matter. This sh*t happened.”
“We still check in on each other. [LeBron] texts me all the time. Randy [Mims] hit me. Vando [Jarred Vanderbilt] did too. We still talk. I’ve been with [LeBron] the longest—six-and-a-half years. We’ve been really close, and nothing has changed. I’m sure we’ll get together over the summer.”
In the loss to the Lakers, Davis posted a modest stat line of 13 points (5-of-13 shooting), 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. Since joining Dallas, he’s averaging 19.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists through eight games.
The drama may not be fully behind them, but Davis insists the bond remains strong. Whether that summer meetup actually happens may speak volumes.