The trade made between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks last season shook the sports world to its foundations.
We saw star Luka Dončić get traded to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and picks. It was framed as, and still frankly is, a move we will have to wait for to see who really won. Early on, though, it looks ugly.
Dončić looks just spectacular, leading the NBA in PPG and leading LA to the second seed in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, they’ve fired GM Nico Harrison and have only gotten five games out of Anthony Davis this season due to injury. Rather than a second seed in the West, they find themselves second-to-last in the West.
When the Mavericks travel to LA this Friday to take on Luka and the Lakers, they might just have reinforcement.
Anthony Davis wants to return to play the Lakers
Anthony Davis has not played against the Lakers since the trade last season. In both games played last year post-trade, Davis was sidelined by injury.
This season, Davis wants to change that.
Davis is nearing a return to play after missing the last 14 games due to a calf strain. With that injury, it’s imperative that you don’t exacerbate it, as this could lead to a far worse Achilles injury.
When asked about the possibility of returning Friday vs the Lakers or Saturday against the Clippers, Davis had this to say:
“That’s a real question? You know what game I want to play.”
Anthony Davis obviously wants to play… this would be his first time since the trade 👀
pic.twitter.com/9TmT6bNXcJ https://t.co/DHYa4vP971
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) November 26, 2025
Davis clearly wants to be out there, but at the end of the day, it will come down to what the team doctors and training staff think is best.
While yes, Davis’ time in LA was filled with many great memories, there were reports of dysfunction towards the end of his tenure. That, mixed with being traded, is exactly the type of chip on your shoulder every athlete is always looking for.
I’m sure he’ll walk back onto the court ready to show he has much more left to prove.