More than a year after the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks stunned the NBA by swapping Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, the All-Star big man revealed exactly how he found out about the blockbuster move.
During the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show,” Davis said he was at home when Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka tried to reach him. Thinking it could wait until morning, Davis ignored the initial call. Moments later, agent Rich Paul phoned Davis’s wife and urged him to pick up.
“Rich told me, ‘They just traded you to Dallas,’” Davis recounted. “I thought he was joking and even asked, ‘Who could they possibly trade me for—Luka?’”
Still skeptical, Davis returned Pelinka’s call. The executive explained that the organization wanted to go younger and prepare for life after LeBron James. Davis then checked social media, refreshing NBA insider Shams Charania’s feed until confirmation of the trade appeared.
“That’s when I knew it was real,” Davis said.
The October 15, 2025 deal sent Davis to the Mavericks while Doncic headed to Los Angeles, a move many observers labeled the most surprising transaction in league history. Davis has since been moved again, landing with the Washington Wizards, where he hopes to spark a turnaround. Doncic remains with the Lakers but is currently sidelined by injury. Head coach JJ Redick recently said the guard is “in good spirits” and working diligently to rejoin the lineup before the postseason.
Source: Lakers Nation
