Jeanie Buss: Anthony Davis 'Complained' About Position and 'Wasn't Happy' on Lakers
Even though Anthony Davis wasn't seeking a trade from the Los Angeles Lakers prior to being included in the Luka Dončić deal with the Dallas Mavericks, he may not have been totally thrilled with the organization.
Speaking to A Martinez of NPR's Morning Edition, Lakers governor Jeanie Buss explained Davis was "complaining about where he was being played and he wasn't happy" in Los Angeles.
Buss previously said on The Rich Eisen Show the Lakers "were not looking to move" Davis when the Mavericks came to them, but the opportunity to acquire Dončić was too good to pass up.
There had been indications that Davis wanted to see the Lakers make some changes to their frontcourt prior to the trade deadline. He told ESPN's Shams Charania in January "we need another big" that would allow him to play power forward.
"I feel like I've always been at my best when I've been the 4, having a big out there," Davis added.
The center situation was a frequent topic of conversation for Davis throughout his tenure in Los Angeles. Dating back to when he was originally acquired by the Lakers in July 2019, he has said his preference was to play power forward.
Los Angeles made it work early in his time with the club, bringing in veterans like Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee, Montrezl Harrell, Marc Gasol and Andre Drummond.
Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, Davis' playing time at center went from 40 percent in 2019-20 to 96 percent this season prior to the trade.
It was a difficult spot for the Lakers because they were often better when Davis was playing the 5.
The trade to Dallas gave Davis what he wanted as far as his position, at least when everyone is healthy. Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford are the centers, with Davis able to play the 4.
Unfortunately, that plan hasn't worked out for the Mavericks, because none of them have been healthy at the same time since the trade. Davis left his Dallas debut against the Houston Rockets on Feb. 8 in the third quarter due to a strained adductor.
Gafford last played on Feb. 10 due to a sprained MCL in his right knee. Lively has been out of action since Jan. 14 with a stress fracture in his right ankle.
On top of those injuries, the Mavs lost Kyrie Irving for the rest of the season with a torn ACL suffered in Monday's loss to the Sacramento Kings.
There's now speculation that Davis may not return this season with Irving out of action and Dallas' already-slim playoff hopes taking a huge hit.
Davis was in the midst of arguably his best season before the injury issues started. He's averaging 25.7 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game in 43 starts.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are cruising along with Dončić and LeBron James playing together. They have won seven straight games and currently own the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
