Anthony Davis spoke out for the first time on Monday following the blockbuster trade that sent him from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Dončić.
“Six years ago, I arrived with the goal of winning a Championship, and I will forever cherish that moment! Basketball, like any other business, has its trade-offs,” Davis shared on Instagram, along with a montage of his highlights from his time in Los Angeles.
“I am thankful for the city that brought me my first championship, where I built my family and friendships. This will always feel like home. I also want to extend my thoughts to those affected by the recent fires. To my teammates: our bonds extend beyond the locker room and the jersey.”
“Los Angeles will always hold a special place in my heart. Every great story has its next exciting chapter… Dallas, here we come!”
In a surprising move for the league, the Lakers traded Davis, Max Christie, and their 2029 first-round draft pick to acquire Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris from the Mavericks.
ESPN’s Shams Charania was the first to report on this significant trade on Saturday, referencing unnamed sources.
The announcement sent shockwaves through the NBA community, with many prominent players taking to social media to voice their disbelief.
Davis joined the Lakers from the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019 and quickly made an impact, helping the team secure an NBA title in his debut season. Although he faced injuries throughout his tenure in California, he consistently showcased his talent when on the court.
Davis formed a formidable duo with fellow Lakers star LeBron James, who expressed his support in the comments of Davis’ Instagram post, saying: “My DOG!!!! You dat muthaf*cka!! Go do you CHAMP!!!!”
At 31 years old, Davis is a nine-time All-Star, a four-time All-NBA First Team selection, and a five-time NBA All-Defensive Team member, along with two Olympic gold medals with Team USA.
Now, Davis will join forces with Kyrie Irving in Dallas, while LeBron and Dončić don the iconic purple and gold of the Lakers.
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry also reacted to the news after the Warriors’ victory over the Orlando Magic on Monday, expressing his surprise.
“It was so unexpected — there were no hints, no rumors, not even a whisper — especially after the Mavericks’ performance in the NBA Finals,” Curry told reporters. “It’s a rare situation. The fact that this trade happened is pretty wild. When you hear something like that, it feels like someone has been hacked.
