DALLAS — Anthony Davis is primed to make his inaugural appearance for the Dallas Mavericks during their first home game following the stunning trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite knowing he will be on the court when the game begins against the Houston Rockets on Saturday, Davis admits he is uncertain about the reaction he might encounter.
Fans in Dallas continue to express their frustration over the trade, which occurred six days ago. The deal not only involved Doncic but also included Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick heading to the Mavericks, while Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris were traded to LA.
Much of the backlash has been directed at Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who traded away a young superstar in the prime of his career just eight months after the team reached the NBA Finals for the first time since winning their only championship in 2011.
“I understand Luka’s significance to this franchise and city,” Davis expressed on Friday during his introductory press conference. “I will always respect that, just as I value what I meant to Los Angeles. So, given the circumstances, I understand the fans’ sentiments. My role is to step in, play basketball, and deliver hope to the fans about why Nico brought me here.”
Davis acknowledged he is unsure of how the fans will react during Saturday’s game, noting the surprising nature of the trade and the challenges it presents. “I can’t determine how the atmosphere will be,” he stated. “It was a significant change, and I just need to focus on winning games.”
The Mavericks’ loyal supporters protested outside the arena the day following the trade, suggesting that more demonstrations could be expected when the team returns after a five-game road trip.
Anthony Davis aims to solidify his status as one of the top big men in the NBA. A 10-time All-Star, he boasts career averages of 24.2 points and 10.7 rebounds, and has been a crucial player, winning his first championship with LeBron James during the 2020 NBA playoffs.
“I want to reassure the fans that I’m a player who will show up every night,” Davis said when asked how he would address the upset fan base. “I’m dedicated to competing and bringing my championship experience to help guide this team towards future titles.”
During his conference, Davis was joined by Christie and Caleb Martin, who also recently came to the Mavericks in a trade with Philadelphia. Christie contributed by scoring 15 points in each of the last two games of the road trip, while Martin’s debut remains uncertain due to a hip injury.
“I believe in having the right perspective,” noted Christie, a 21-year-old in his third season and a second-round pick following a single year at Michigan State. “Being part of a trade of this scale is definitely something I find flattering.”
The trade signifies a large shift in the team’s dynamics, replacing the duo of Kyrie Irving and Doncic with a frontcourt-backcourt combination of Irving and Davis.
Irving, who had just begun to process his emotions regarding the trade, mentioned in his first game afterward that he was grieving the loss of his “hermano,” but that he was ready to look ahead.
In their previous season together, Irving and Doncic developed a successful synergy that led the Mavericks to the Western Conference Championship, although they fell to Boston in five games.
Now, Irving anticipates a smoother transition, largely because the current team dynamics involve fewer ball-dominant players.
Davis, now 31, is excited about settling into a power forward role with the Mavericks, particularly as the team holds a stronger roster at the center position with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. Lively, however, may be sidelined until late in the regular season as he recovers from a stress fracture in his ankle.
“With a guard like Kai who can score, pass, and drive effectively, I think it’s a great fit,” Davis remarked. “He hasn’t played with a player like me before who excels in the pocket, rolling to the basket, and being a lob threat. This partnership offers a fresh dynamic for both of us.”
The ongoing changes bring a new energy to the Mavericks’ home games, at least for the time being.