Two weeks before the trade deadline last season, the Los Angeles Lakers traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic. It was the most surprising trade in NBA history. Davis was unaware that he was on the trade block and was as shocked as everyone else.
Davis recently revealed that he thought that LA had traded Doncic to pair with him, not for him. While speaking on the Draymond Green Show, Davis revealed that fact.
“Rich Paul called me on the phone and was like, ‘ They just traded you to Dallas.’ I’m like, ‘Shut up.’ But like, I know because I spoke to Rich before, like, man. Luka is so cold, bro. We used to talk about Luka all the time. I’m like, ‘Imagine me with Luka, like oh my God.'”
Anthony Davis Thought the Lakers Were Keeping him in Luka Doncic Trade
GettyDallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis stands for the national anthem before a game. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Davis continued to talk about his initial reaction to learning he was part of the trade, not having Doncic play with him.
“And so when he said traded to Dallas, I was like, get the f–k out of here. And I said, ‘Who the f–k are they going to trade me for, Luka?’ Who else can you trade me for on that team? Mind you, they just went to the Finals. And there was never no discussion like ‘We might get AD out of here,’ or it was nothing. He was like, ‘They traded you for Luka.’ I’m like, ‘Rich, shut the hell up.’ I’m really thinking he’s just playing. And he was like, ‘Man, I swear.’”
Davis was clearly as shocked as the rest of the NBA world. Everyone thought that Shams Charania had been hacked when he reported the trade on social media. It was a real trade, and Davis ended up playing just 29 games over two seasons with the Mavericks.
The Lakers Clearly Won the Luka Doncic/Anthony Davis Trade
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic celebrates. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
With the time that has passed, Los Angeles is the clear winner of this trade. Doncic has played close to an MVP level, although he won’t be eligible for postseason awards because he has missed too many games. Meanwhile, Davis has been traded again, as he is now in Washington.
The Lakers will now have to live without Doncic in the lineup for a bit as he lets his hamstring heal. Both Doncic and Reaves are out for a projected timeline of four to six weeks with injuries, which is terrible timing. On that timeline, neither player would be ready to go for the first round.
Davis will not be participating in the postseason this season. The Wizards decided to tank and shut Davis down without ever playing a game for the franchise. His team debut will have to wait until next season, when both he and Trae Young will be healthy for opening night.
Anthony Davis Thought Lakers Traded for Luka Doncic to Team up With Him