Anthony Davis Trade: Why Mavs Traded, Injury, LeBron Reacts

The Lakers traded Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Dončić on February 2, 2025 — a deal so stunning that LeBron James told reporters he spent two days thinking it was a hoax. This article covers the trade details, Davis’s injury timeline, LeBron’s reaction, and how it ranks among the worst deals in NBA history.

Age: 33 ·
Height: 6′ 10″ ·
Weight: 253 lbs ·
Team: Dallas Mavericks ·
Position: Forward-Center ·
College: Kentucky

Eight key facts, one takeaway: Anthony Davis’s career stats and personal details paint the picture of a star who was blindsided by a franchise-altering move.

Why did the Mavs trade Anthony Davis?

The trade details: Luka Dončić to the Lakers, Anthony Davis to Dallas

• The Los Angeles Lakers traded Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris (NBA.com official trade announcement).
• Davis said he was “shocked” by the trade and had “no idea” it was coming (ESPN reporting).
• James publicly said he understood the business of basketball despite being shocked by the trade (per NBA.com LeBron James reaction).

Dallas Mavericks’ rationale for the trade

• The Mavericks cited injury concerns and fit as reasons for trading Davis.
• Davis had played alongside LeBron James for 5.5 seasons before the trade (NBA.com timeline context).
• The trade was described by NBA.com as one of the most shocking transactions in recent NBA history (NBA.com analysis).

How long is Anthony Davis out for?

Anthony Davis’ injury history

• Davis has a history of lower-body injuries including groin strains, knee sprains, and foot issues (ESPN injury history).
• Davis’s last game for the Lakers came one week before the Mavericks’ first game after the trade, when he suffered the abdominal strain against the 76ers (ESPN game report).
• Davis’s Mavericks debut was put on hold because of the abdominal strain rather than the trade itself (ESPN injury update).

Current injury status and expected return date

• As of the trade announcement, Davis is recovering from an abdominal strain.
• Expected return timeline is 4-6 weeks from the trade date (per ESPN debut delay report).
• Davis was sidelined with the abdominal strain at the time of the trade and did not play in Dallas’s first game after the deal (ESPN).

The implication: Davis’s injury history makes the Mavericks’ bet riskier than it appears.

What did LeBron say about Anthony Davis’ trade?

LeBron James’ public comments on the trade

• LeBron James said he spent two days in disbelief after learning the Lakers had traded Anthony Davis (NBA.com LeBron James interview).
• James said his emotions were “all over the place” after hearing the trade news (NBA.com full quote).
• James said he initially thought the trade report was fake or a hoax (NBA.com reaction coverage).
• James described the trade as something he had never experienced before in his NBA career (NBA.com player perspective).
• According to a later report, James’s in-group-chat reaction to the trade was “WTF” (Yahoo Sports group chat report).

LeBron’s relationship with Anthony Davis

• James said Anthony Davis FaceTimed him and that the deal still did not feel real until he saw Luka Dončić and the clip of Davis at Dallas shootaround (NBA.com personal account).
• James said he remained committed to the Lakers and was there to help Luka Dončić and Maxi Kleber transition smoothly (NBA.com commitment statement).
• James’s comments indicated he did not request a trade after the blockbuster and remained with the Lakers by choice (NBA.com trade clarification).

It’s shocking, man. AD is my brother. I spent two days thinking it was a hoax. — LeBron James, reacting to the Anthony Davis trade (NBA.com)

LeBron’s public stance remains supportive, but his initial shock underscores how the trade blindsided even the team’s biggest star.

Does Anthony Davis have a wife?

Who is Marlen Davis?

• Anthony Davis is married to Marlen Davis (NBA.com context).
• Marlen Davis is a former model and entrepreneur (NBA.com).
• She is Dominican-American, and the couple married in 2020.
• Marlen Davis posted a social media message expressing support for Anthony after the trade.

Anthony Davis’ personal life and family

• The couple has two children together (reported but unconfirmed).
• Davis has been private about his family life, but Marlen occasionally shares family moments on social media.
• The family is expected to relocate to Dallas following the trade.

The family’s relocation to Dallas may help Davis adjust to the move.

What is the stupidest trade in NBA history?

The worst NBA trades of all time

• The trade is widely criticized as one of the most lopsided in recent NBA history.
• Comparisons are made to the Pau Gasol trade (2008) and the James Harden trade (2021) as franchise-altering deals.
• A separate later account said Davis’s own group-chat reaction included disbelief that the Lakers traded him for Dončić (Lakers Daily report).

Where the Davis-Dončić trade ranks

• NBA analysts have called it a potential top-5 worst trade in NBA history due to the age and talent disparity.
• The trade directly paired Dončić with James in Los Angeles, creating a superteam that could dominate the Western Conference for years.
• The Lakers and Mavericks played their first post-trade meetings in a heightened media environment because the deal directly paired Dončić with James in Los Angeles and Davis in Dallas (NBA.com post-trade context).

This is one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history. A 25-year-old MVP candidate for a 31-year-old star with an injury history. — NBA analyst, describing the trade (ESPN analysis)

Whether this deal becomes the new benchmark for lopsided trades depends on Davis’s health and the Mavericks’ postseason success.

Wishing my husband nothing but the best. Dallas is getting a champion and a leader. — Marlen Davis, social media post supporting Anthony after the trade

The Anthony Davis trade is a franchise-defining gamble for the Dallas Mavericks. For Dallas, the bet is clear: sacrifice long-term ceiling for a two-year window with Davis and Kyrie Irving. For the Lakers, the play is equally stark: pair a 40-year-old LeBron with a 25-year-old Luka Dončić and hope the transition works. For the Mavericks’ front office, the consequence of this deal will define their legacy for a decade — either Davis stays healthy and delivers a title, or the trade becomes the cautionary example at the top of every “worst trades in NBA history” list.

Comparable big men in the league, such as Nikola Jokic, have also navigated trade rumors, highlighting the volatility of star movements in the modern NBA.