When the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Anthony Davis back in 2019, the franchise envisioned a long-lasting era powered by his dominance and the leadership of LeBron James. Their first season together delivered exactly that: a championship, a revitalized identity, and what looked like the beginning of a dynasty.
But behind the scenes, the partnership gradually eroded — to the point where the front office no longer hesitated when the opportunity to acquire Luka Dončić emerged. According to new reporting, the Lakers’ relationship with Davis had become strained well before trade conversations even gained traction.
From centerpiece to source of concern: the injury spiral
After the 2020 title, the next four years followed a very different script. The Lakers:
- missed the playoffs once,
- were eliminated in the first round twice,
- and repeatedly watched Davis lose extended time with injuries.
Each setback deepened frustration internally. As detailed by league insiders, the sequence was difficult for the organization to absorb:
- 2020–21: just 36 games due to calf and Achilles issues;
- 2021–22: left MCL sprain and right ankle injury;
- 2022–23: 26 games missed with a right foot stress reaction.
And with every new absence, questions inside the franchise grew louder.
Sources described growing concern about Davis’ offseason habits. There were summers when communication was minimal, and people in the building noted that he sometimes arrived to camp in what was described as “below expected conditioning.” At times during preseason practices, staff members quietly wondered whether he had trained with the intensity the team expected.
One staffer recalled how, in 2019, Davis was “first in, last out” — relentless, committed, and demanding more work. Over time, that image shifted. He still worked, but often spent long stretches with the training staff, or participated only partially in drills. The impression was no longer of the same relentless superstar who had first arrived.
A strategic divide: the center debate
As the injuries piled up, so did disagreements about Davis’ role on the court.
Ahead of the 2024 offseason, Davis’ camp reinforced a message he had expressed for years:
- he wanted to play fewer minutes at center,
- preferred a physical big man next to him,
- and believed the team should use assets to acquire that help.
From Davis’ perspective, this was about longevity and protecting his body. The formula was simple: less bruising in the paint meant fewer injuries and greater effectiveness in the postseason — essentially a return to the 2020 model, when he played more as a power forward.
The Lakers’ front office, however, didn’t see this as their top priority.
Internally, the team:
- wanted to preserve cap flexibility for 2025,
- did not view a traditional center as essential to their championship path,
- and placed greater emphasis on expanding the roles of Austin Reaves and other perimeter playmakers.
The franchise explored frontcourt additions at different points, but never made Davis’ request the centerpiece of its offseason planning. What Davis framed as a necessity, the Lakers viewed as optional — and that gap slowly widened into tension.
The turning point: comments that crossed a line
While Rob Pelinka maintained trade dialogue with Dallas GM Nico Harrison, Davis’ insistence on roster changes intensified.
According to reporting, Davis emphasized that the team needed to be willing to “do whatever it takes” to protect his health and maximize the roster. For some high-ranking voices within the Lakers, those remarks felt like criticism of the organization’s entire post-title strategy — almost as if Davis believed the team had failed to support him properly since 2020.
One internal source referred to that moment as “the final straw.”
By then, trust had already eroded on multiple fronts:
- doubts about his durability,
- frustration with repeated injuries,
- disagreements about his position,
- and a perception that Davis no longer matched the commitment level he once showed.
At the same time, a rare opportunity materialized: the chance to acquire Luka Dončić, a generational superstar entering his prime. For the Lakers, this wasn’t just a talent upgrade — it was a clean break from a cycle that no longer inspired confidence.
After the trade: two franchises on opposite trajectories
Today, the contrast is stark.
Anthony Davis, now with the Dallas Mavericks, faces an uncertain future as the team struggles at 4–10 and he battles yet another soft-tissue injury. The organization is also in transition following the firing of GM Nico Harrison.
Meanwhile, the Lakers — sitting at 9–4 despite missing LeBron James — have embraced a new identity. Dončić has brought stability, accountability, and renewed energy, while Austin Reaves continues to flourish in his expanded role.
Davis’ No. 3 jersey may still hang from the rafters one day. His role in delivering the 2020 championship remains undeniable. But those inside the franchise acknowledged a reality: the version of Davis they acquired in 2019 was not the version they had by 2025 — physically, mentally, or competitively.
And when Luka became available, the decision became inevitable.
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