Anthony Davis Is The Clear Winner In This Trade

By: Mark T. Wilson

Anthony Davis is the clear winner in the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks trade. Davis has stated that he wanted the Lakers to go after a big so he can return to playing the PF position. The Lakers did him one better, they sent him to a team that already has an established presence in the middle.

The Lakers could have traded for a reliable Center, instead, they went for a big name to help them continue their legacy of superstars and ticket sales. While many are declaring them the winner of this trade, the truth is, Davis came out better than the Lakers.

Yes, losing a player like Luka Doncic will hurt but the Mavericks have a PG different than their normal face. Kyrie Irving and a Davis pairing is one that many should not overlook. And now, Davis can revert to his normal position. He’s happy and has a chip on his shoulder.

There was a time when Davis was pegged to become the new face of the Lakers if he wasn’t there already. Despite the pairing with LeBron James, the Lakers were a middle-of-the-pack team. They weren’t getting any interest from top-tier free agents in the offseason. There was no help coming. Draft picks were scarce and instead of taking the best talent available, the Lakers were too busy trying to appease James. It was time for someone to be moved.

Anthony Davis will now join a team in dire need of a scoring presence in the paint. While Davis has dealt with injuries throughout his career, when he’s healthy, he’s arguably the best PF in the game today. With Irving pushing the point, Klay Thompson and Quentin Grimes providing perimeter play, and Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively ( when he returns) protecting the rim and rebounding, the Mavs are loaded for a run.

This team made the NBA Finals last season with pretty much the same core. Doncic was a huge reason for that run, and while his production will be missed, there was some disconnect as well. Irving has played great this season, and with Davis onboard, that should open up more scoring opportunities for Thompson and Grimes on the perimeter.

Gafford and Lively have some offensive moves around the paint, but there was not a defender who took them seriously in that department. No team can crowd the paint now as Davis will open the floor for everyone. And we haven’t even mentioned PJ Washington. He can move to the SF spot and send Grimes to the second unit which will make the Mavs that much tougher to defend and also make them one of the best defensive and rebounding teams in the NBA.

Before his latest injury, Anthony Davis averaged 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. He did this without having a true point guard and while playing out of position. He’s going back to his roots, and anyone will tell you there is nothing like having a player who gets what he wants.

Then you add to the fact that he has that chip on his shoulder. Does it matter if LeBron had something to do with this trade or that the Lakers felt he was not the player they could build around for the future? No, Anthony Davis should be a man on a revenge mission for the rest of the season.

He got what he wanted. The Lakers made their choice, and truth be told, the Mavericks are in a better position to win than the Lakers. The roster is better now and for the future. Davis and LeBron were going nowhere. They needed too many pieces, and instead of admitting to their faults, they gave a player what he wanted without meaning to do so.

What team in the Western Conference can contend with the frontcourt of the Mavericks? Yes, Thompson is struggling but we all know he can get hot at any given moment. Who will want to play them in a 7-game set? There is not a team in the Conference who can contend with them. And with Luka gone, Irving can dominate the backcourt just as he did before playing with Luka. He now has a big who can run the floor, shoot, rebound, and play defense and one who also knows what it takes to win a championship.

So, if you want ask who won the trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. Ask yourself this. If they were to meet in a playoff setting, who would win, the Lakers or the Mavericks? And that will answer who won the trade.