The Los Angeles Lakers stunned the NBA last season by acquiring superstar guard Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in a blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas. While the trade headlines focused on landing Doncic, behind the scenes, tensions between Davis and the Lakers’ front office had been simmering for months, primarily over the star big man’s health and conditioning.
Health Concerns Fueled Internal Tension
Davis, a 10-time All-Star and 2020 NBA champion, has long been regarded as one of the most impactful players of his generation. Yet, recurring injuries and inconsistent availability plagued his tenure in Los Angeles. “Throughout these three years, in which Davis was constantly in and out of the lineup as a result of many injuries, internal concerns about the way Davis took care of his body began to loom large,” Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported. Sources added that Davis’ fitness levels entering training camps were “well below average,” and communication between his camp and the Lakers on injury recovery was often lacking.
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Trade Discussions Began Long Before Doncic
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Even before the Doncic deal materialized, the Lakers were quietly gauging Davis’ trade value. Multiple teams, including the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Cleveland Cavaliers, received early-season feelers about Davis. While nothing progressed substantially with Boston—whose front office signaled only that they would “keep it in mind”—the Lakers were serious about exploring options should concerns over Davis’ availability and commitment continue.
The “Last Straw” and Historic Deal
Frustrations reached a peak during the 2024-25 season when Davis publicly advocated for the addition of another big man to preserve his health and optimize performance. “I think we need another big,” Davis told Shams Charania of ESPN, referencing matchups that challenged the Lakers in recent seasons. Sources said this statement was essentially the “last straw,” reinforcing internal doubts and accelerating the Lakers’ move to trade Davis for Doncic.
Outcomes and Implications
The trade has already proven favorable for Los Angeles. Doncic has signed a three-year, $165 million extension and is leading the Lakers near the top of the Western Conference alongside Austin Reaves, even without LeBron James on the floor. In contrast, Davis’ tenure in Dallas has been marred by injuries and organizational instability, with the Mavericks struggling to a 3-9 start following the firing of former GM Nico Harrison.
What began as subtle internal concerns over health and commitment evolved into a landmark trade that reshaped the Lakers’ future, positioning them for continued success while leaving Davis and the Mavericks facing uncertainty.