Luka Doncic wasn’t just a player for the Dallas Mavericks. The Dallas faithful saw him as their club’s future. They’d pinned their hopes on him. So naturally, replacing him has not been easy for former NBA champion Anthony Davis. But even so, you won’t expect the things AD has to say about Luka.
Tonight, AD’s new team lost to his former club, the Los Angeles Lakers. This was Luka Doncic’s first game back in Dallas. But what went unnoticed by many was that this was also Davis’s first game against the Lakers after he’d joined them from the New Orleans Pelicans. And after the game, when media members asked AD about Doncic, he revealed the nature and extent of his relationship with the ex-Mavs star.
A reporter asked AD whether he’d said anything to Luka since they swapped places at their respective clubs. “Besides basketball, when we see each other, you know, good luck and everything like that. But other than that, no,” said AD. But Davis also made sure everyone knew that he was delighted that Luka received a tribute for the team he did so much for.
“Yeah, I mean, he was here five years, did some great things for the organization, for the city. So it was definitely deserving. Obviously you saw the emotions from him, crying and things like that. So I’m glad that he was able to get a tribute and an ovation from the fans that he deserves,” said the Mavs’ big man.
AD can speak on this because he knows what it’s like to achieve things with the club that brought you into the league. After all, AD was a fan favorite at the New Orleans Pelicans after they drafted him. However, he also mentioned that there were some differences between how Davis departed the Pelicans and how Luka left the Mavs.
He later expounded upon those differences when the reporter asked him about it.
Anthony Davis speaks candidly about Luka Doncic leaving the Dallas Mavericks
Before his shocking trade, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks had nearly done it all. Last season, they went to the NBA finals only to come up short against the Boston Celtics. Even so, most fans were simply happy to get that far. That’s because they knew that with Luka on their side, it was only a matter of time before they went all the way. But Nico Harrison and fate had other plans for them.
It was difficult for both Luka and the fans to cope with this sudden change. As someone who knows the feeling of leaving the club that drafted you without fulfilling the expectations everyone had at the outset, AD spoke about Doncic leaving the Mavs. But in doing so, he also highlighted a few key differences between them.
Apr 5, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) looks on during the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
“I mean, it’s different when you get drafted somewhere, you do a number of phenomenal things with the organization. You know, go to the finals last year, playoffs, you know, first team All-NBA, so many different things. So, it’s tough. You know, obviously in Luka’s situation, but it’s the nature of the business at the end of the day for both sides… But mine’s a little different from New Orleans because I asked, and it was in the summertime, so you get a time to adjust. This one, like I said before, neither one of us knew about, so it’s a little bit different,” finished AD.
And it’s not hard to see what Anthony Davis means here. He left the Pelicans of his own volition. Whereas, Luka was blindsided by the news of his own trade. These situations are certainly not the same. Nevertheless, he seems to be adjusting well to life as a Laker, something that AD himself also pointed out.
So, at the end of the day, all’s well that ends well if you’re Luka Doncic. However, if you’re a Mavs fan, we reckon you’re still mad at Nico Harrison. But that seems to be the prevailing sentiment recently. Here’s hoping things work out eventually, though!
The post Sidelined by Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis Confesses True Feelings About Relationship With Ex-Mavs Star appeared first on EssentiallySports.
