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Anthony Davis might be interested in a return to Los Angeles, but the Lakers' front office appears unlikely to pursue a reunion. According to ESPN's Scott Kaplan (via Ricardo Sandoval of Lakers on SI), Davis, who was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in a blockbuster February 2025 deal, is reportedly open to rejoining the franchise that acquired him in 2019. Kaplan recounted overhearing NBA reporters discussing Davis's desire to return to the Lakers.
"One of these reporters started saying to another one of these reporters, 'Well, I hear that Anthony Davis wants to return to the Lakers,'" Kaplan said.
Davis, a 10-time All-Star now with the Washington Wizards, is expected to be a prominent trade candidate ahead of the February deadline. His recent 44-point, 13-rebound performance against the Detroit Pistons served as a reminder of his scoring prowess, which could attract suitors. As Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley noted, "Just ask the Detroit Pistons, who just found themselves on the wrong end of his 44-point, 13-rebound eruption."
However, Davis's injury history and age—he is in his early 30s—raise concerns about his durability and long-term value. These factors, along with questions about his contract demands, cast doubt on his future in Washington. While a return to the Lakers seems far-fetched, Davis could still be a valuable addition for the right team.
Key Analysis
If Davis were genuinely interested in rejoining the Lakers, one might envision a lineup featuring Davis, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler. A healthy Davis would undoubtedly elevate the Lakers to championship contention. However, such a scenario would likely require Davis to be bought out by the Wizards and accept a significant pay cut to sign with Los Angeles.
Lakers journalist Jovan Buha, speaking on his "Buha's Block" podcast, explained the financial hurdles of a trade: "The thing with AD that I've mentioned recently is that he is just making too much money (that) it's difficult for L.A. to execute a trade for him without giving up Walker (Kessler) or Austin (Reaves)." Buha also outlined a potential four-for-one deal involving Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Collin Sexton, but warned that such a move would decimate the team's depth and require a costly contract extension for Davis, with no guarantee he can stay healthy through the playoffs.
Acquiring Davis would likely force the Lakers to gut their roster, and while his talent is undeniable, his injury history and age make him a risky investment. Furthermore, the Lakers are off to their best start since the 2019-20 championship season, giving them little incentive to disrupt a winning formula for another star.
Originally reported by yahoo.