Image Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

“He wasn’t happy”- Lakers owner reveals real reason behind trading Anthony Davis

Jeanie Buss opened up on the blockbuster Anthony Davis-Luka Doncic trade.

Image Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

It has been more than a month since Anthony Davis headed to the Dallas Mavericks, while Luka Doncic joined the likes of LeBron James in Hollywood. However, the buzz around what might be the biggest NBA trade isn’t coming to a rest anytime soon.

Though it looked like both sides seemed to have moved past the trade by locking horns a few days ago, the reality is quite different. The fans, pundits and front office, all are going to talk about it for times to come. Recently, the Lakers’ Controlling Owner and President Jeanie Buss talked about the trade and took a dig at Anthony Davis, mentioning how his dissatisfaction was one of the biggest reasons for the deal.

Buss appeared in a recent interview with NPR, where she addressed why the franchise came up with a gut-punching decision to let go of their big man. She admitted that the Lakers were in a dire need of change. She also added that despite having names like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the side lost to the Denver Nuggets in three consecutive playoff runs.

“We gave up a lot to get Luka Doncic. We’re happy we have him. We have lost the last three years in a row to the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs, and we really didn’t have anything that was going to look different going into the playoffs again,” Jeanie said.

Not only this, but she went on to say that Anthony Davis’ dissatisfaction with his playing position added fuel to the fire, which is why the side let go of him. “Anthony Davis was complaining about where he was being played, and he wasn’t happy. So I think this was a positive for both teams,” Buss added.

Notably, a few days before the trade, Davis appeared in an interview and expressed his desire to play as power forward. The ten-time All-Star wanted Lakers to get a center before the trade deadline.

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“I didn’t know, had no idea”- Anthony Davis reflects on ‘shocking’ trade to Dallas Mavericks

Lakers hit jackpot by acquiring Luka Doncic

The trade of Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic turned out to be the right decision for the Lakers. Luka, who returned to the court after a two-month long injury layoff, has had a few underwhelming games with the Lakers. However, the five-time All-Star soon found his old rhythm back and recorded commendable performances.

It seems that the Lakers have finally found the missing piece of their puzzle and are set for this year’s playoffs. In nine games that he has played in the gold and purple colors, Luka is averaging 22.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists.

On the other hand, the Mavericks have found themselves struggling ever since the trade. Their newest signing, Anthony Davis, sustained an adductor injury in his first game for the Mavericks. The injury ruled him out for one month. While the 31-year-old has shown signs of speedy recovery, recent reports have claimed that he might close the ongoing season early after Kyrie Irving’s season-ending injury.

Anthony Davis

Dallas Mavericks

Jeanie Buss

Los Angeles Lakers

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.