Jeanie Buss: Los Angeles Lakers didn't want to Trade Anthony Davis Before Luka Doncic Deal

NBA Rumors: Jeanie Buss: Los Angeles Lakers didn't want to Trade Anthony Davis Before Luka Doncic Deal

Before sending star forward Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks to acquire Luka Doncić, the governor of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie Buss, reaffirmed that the team was not shopping for Davis.

She stated on The Rich Eisen Show, "We weren't looking to move Anthony Davis when the opportunity came up." "He was our rock-solid player, so we had to give up a lot to get Luka."

ESPN's Shams Charania revealed shortly after the transaction that the Lakers had "never offered Anthony Davis in a trade before, ever."

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Tim MacMahon then gave the specifics of how the deal came to be. At the request of Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka met Harrison at a coffee shop in the Dallas region on January 7, marking the start of serious negotiations.

Davis was originally acquired by Los Angeles with the expectation that he would replace LeBron James as the team's spokesperson and the cornerstone of a club capable of winning a championship. That plan's viability was called into doubt by Davis' injury woes and the Lakers' failure to make it back to the NBA Finals following their 2020 championship victory.

Buss stated on Tuesday that even though it meant losing Davis, the opportunity to sign a player as exceptional as Dončić is not often available and was too good to ignore.

The Lakers made out like bandits, according to the prevailing opinion of the trade. Without sacrificing any of their complementing talents or draft picks, they were able to acquire a five-time All-NBA honoree who is six years younger than AD. Pelinka retained a 2031 first-round pick, potential pick swaps, Austin Reaves, and Dalton Knecht.

Davis, who averaged 24.8 points and 11.0 rebounds throughout his six years in purple and gold, is essential to the 2020 championship.

However, it would be difficult to find a Lakers supporter who did not see right away the long-term advantages of acquiring Dončić and how it would increase the Lakers' window of opportunity.