It's been weeks since the blockbuster move that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, and the world is still trying to make sense of its seismic implications. For Davis, there's one thing that hasn't changed following his life-altering departure from the Los Angeles Lakers: his relationship with LeBron James. In a recent chat with Marc Spears, the Mavericks star confirmed that he holds no grudge against his former teammate.
"Ain’t no change for me. It’s a business," said Davis, via Andscape. "People are saying that [James] knew [of the trade] because of the Marcus Morris [quote saying James knew] that comes out. [James] is saying he don’t. At this point, whether he knew or not or whoever knew, or it was quiet when Shams (Charana) dropped [the news], it doesn’t matter who knew. This sh*t happened."
The trade was only made after weeks of backdoor negotiations between Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and Mavericks GM Nico Harrison. By the time the story finally broke, nobody could believe that LeBron James had no involvement.
Whatever the case, Anthony Davis has accepted his new reality. Now that he's a Maverick, there's no looking back, even if he knows things will never quite be the same again.
"You can’t change like, ‘Oh, [James] didn’t know, well let’s change it.’ It’s no going back," said Davis. "But as far as our leadership, obviously, we were on the same team, so we talked all the time. But [the Lakers] are trying to make a push, we’re trying to make a push, so we don’t talk as much. But we still check in on each other. He texts me all the time. [James’ chief of staff] Randy [Mims] hit me. Actually, they both just hit me. Vando [Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt] did. We still talk to those guys. I’ve been with [James] the longest, six-and-a-half years. We’ve been really close, but nothing has changed. Obviously, we don’t talk hang like we used to just because of the teams and stuff. But I’m sure we will get together over this summer and try to figure it out."
Davis, 32, didn't ask to be traded this season, but he's making the most of his new situation. After an explosive debut, injuries kept him from playing for months before he finally returned earlier this month. In three games so far, Davis is averaging 17.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game on 45.7% shooting.
The former Lakers champion has found peace after the trade, and he's ready to deliver a new era in Dallas. It doesn't mean that he (or anyone else) will forget the initial shock of the deal.
“I’m great. I don’t feel it, but a lot of people have been coming to me and telling me they haven’t seen me smile like this in a long time,” Davis told Andscape. “Family is happy. Everybody is happy. It’s the nature of the business. Obviously, the first maybe 48 hours, it was just a shock because I wasn’t expecting it. Nobody was expecting it, so they say. But I know from my side, my team and my family and everybody who works with me, I wasn’t expecting it. Even when I was getting some of the calls [about the trade], I thought guys were playing. But it ended up being true and that first initial [emotion] was more of a shock just seeing the position [we were in]; we’re in fifth in the West [Conference], we were rolling…"
It's been a rocky transition for everyone so far, especially considering who else was involved in the trade: Luka Doncic. Mavericks fans raved at his exit, and now they are looking to Davis to fill his shoes. While Davis is not Luka, he's at least giving Mavericks fans hope and actual production on the court.
At 36-38 this season, the Mavericks are 10th in the West and holding firm for the final play-in spot. Meanwhile, LeBron James is putting on a show for Lakers fans alongside his new partner, Luka Doncic. It's been a complicated alliance so far, but Los Angeles still ranks fourth in the West.
The Lakers and Mavericks have one more showdown this season, and Anthony Davis will be there to face his former team. After it's all said and done, however, Davis will continue to treat LeBron James like a brother, just like all of his teammates with whom he made history as NBA champions in 2020.
