Anthony Davis spoke out for the first time on Monday following his trade from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks in a high-profile deal that saw Luka Dončić move to L.A.
“Six years ago, I came here with the goal of winning a Championship, and I’ll always remember the moment we achieved that! The business of basketball is just like any other business,” Davis wrote on Instagram, sharing a video that highlighted his time in Los Angeles.
He expressed his gratitude for the city where he won his first NBA title, grew his family, and formed lasting friendships. Davis also shared his thoughts on the ongoing fires, offering his support to those affected.
“To my teammates: our bond extends beyond the court and the uniform,” he added. “LA will always hold a special place in my heart. Every great story has a thrilling new chapter… Dallas, here we come!”
The trade, one of the most shocking in recent NBA history, saw the Lakers acquire Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris in exchange for Davis, Max Christie, and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round draft pick.
The blockbuster trade sending Anthony Davis from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks was first reported by Shams Charania on Saturday, citing sources.
The announcement sent shockwaves through the NBA, with many of the league’s top players expressing their surprise on social media.
Davis joined the Lakers in 2019 from the New Orleans Pelicans and quickly helped the team win the NBA title in his first season. Despite struggling with injuries during his time in California, Davis remained a highly effective player when healthy.
He developed a powerful partnership with LeBron James, who shared his well-wishes in the comments of Davis’ Instagram post, writing: “My DOG!!!! You dat muthaf*cka!! Go do you CHAMP!!!!”
The 31-year-old Davis is a nine-time All-Star, a four-time All-NBA First Team selection, a five-time NBA All-Defensive Team member, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA.
Now, Davis will team up with Kyrie Irving in Dallas, while James and Luka Dončić will play together in Los Angeles.
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry also expressed his surprise at the trade after the Warriors’ win over the Orlando Magic on Monday.
“Just because of how out of the blue it was – no hints, no rumors, not a single sign – especially after the Mavericks came out of the NBA Finals,” Curry told reporters. “That’s a reminder that only a few in this league can sleep with any type of confidence.”
Curry added, “It’s a very unique situation. The idea that this happened is pretty crazy. When you hear a trade like that, you think somebody’s hacked.”