Last Updated on May 4, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake
Anthony Davis’s NBA career has featured two significant trades:
1. New Orleans Pelicans to Los Angeles Lakers (2019)
After being selected first overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2012 NBA Draft and spending seven seasons with the team, Davis requested a trade during the 2018–19 season. On June 15, 2019, the Pelicans traded Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers. In return, New Orleans received Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round draft picks. Davis’s move to Los Angeles paid immediate dividends, as he played a pivotal role alongside LeBron James in leading the Lakers to the 2020 NBA Championship.
2. Los Angeles Lakers to Dallas Mavericks (2025)
In a blockbuster midseason trade on February 2, 2025, the Lakers traded Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Dončić. This three-team deal, which also involved the Utah Jazz, marked the first time in NBA history that two reigning All-NBA players were traded for each other midseason. The full trade details were:
- To Los Angeles Lakers: Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
- To Dallas Mavericks: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 first-round pick (from Lakers)
- To Utah Jazz: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 second-round picks from both the Clippers and Mavericks
The trade was met with surprise across the NBA community. Dončić, who had been the cornerstone of the Mavericks franchise, expressed shock and disappointment upon learning of the trade. Conversely, Davis embraced the move, expressing enthusiasm about joining Dallas and teaming up with Kyrie Irving. Mavericks GM Nico Harrison defended the trade, emphasizing Davis’s value as an All-NBA and All-Defensive player.