Anthony Davis has expressed his excitement after making his debut with the Dallas Mavericks, where he is now teammates with Kyrie Irving, fulfilling what he calls a long-held dream.
On Tuesday, Davis stated he has been waiting for this opportunity for quite some time. This dream came to fruition on Sunday when he was traded to the Mavericks from the Los Angeles Lakers, marking a significant shift in both his career and the Mavericks' strategy moving forward.
"I’m really excited,” Davis shared with The Athletic. “I think Ky and I have been talking about this since 2018 when I asked for my trade when I was in New Orleans.” He recalled their conversations about wanting to play alongside each other since Irving was still with the Boston Celtics at the time.
The 31-year-old star forward will play alongside 32-year-old Irving as the Mavericks seek to solidify their position as serious contenders in the Western Conference, particularly after losing generational talent Luka Doncic to the Lakers as part of this trade.
Atlanta's deal also brought Max Christie, the Mavericks’ new guard, to Dallas, establishing them as a more formidable team. Davis emphasized his long-standing relationship with Mavericks' General Manager Nico Harrison, who first recognized his talent when Davis was playing high school basketball. "Nico knows me from high school," Davis said, noting their close friendship since his recruitment period.
The Mavericks find themselves on shaky footing after suffering setbacks, with their record standing at 26 wins and 24 losses. During their last ten games, they have struggled, winning only four, which makes their upcoming matches particularly significant.
Davis is expected to debut against the Houston Rockets this Saturday, and there is even hope he might take the court earlier against the Boston Celtics. His arrival adds star power to the Mavericks, who are trying to remain competitive even after the turbulent loss of Doncic.
Ahead of his debut, Davis underlined the ambitions both he and Irving share as they look to spur the Mavericks up the standings. The franchise hopes this exceptional pairing will reshape their play and allow them to thrive as they proceed through the second half of the season.
With Davis joining forces with Irving, fans of the Mavericks are buzzing with anticipation. This unlikely partnership not only reshapes the team’s dynamics but also promises to make Dallas more competitive than ever.