Anthony Davis Blasts Lakers And Pelicans For What He Says Was Missing Respect

Anthony Davis used a recent appearance on Draymond Green’s podcast to revisit two of the most sensitive exits of his NBA career. The 10-time All-Star said he still feels hurt by how the Los Angeles Lakers handled his trade to the Dallas Mavericks and by how the New Orleans Pelicans treated him when he returned to New Orleans as a visitor.

Davis joined “The Draymond Green Show” in an episode released Wednesday and spoke more openly than he had before about the end of both tenures. He said the Lakers did not give him any warning before moving him, and he said the Pelicans crossed a line when they failed to honor him with a tribute video during his first game back at the Smoothie King Center.

Lakers exit left Davis feeling blindsided

Davis said his issue was not the idea of a trade itself, but the way the Lakers handled the process. He described being caught off guard and said no one from the organization called or texted him before the move became official.

“From the business standpoint, I can’t be mad,” Davis said on the podcast. “But, like, why? I just couldn’t fathom, I couldn’t understand it. And nobody told me nothing. Nobody said a thing to me.”

He added that the lack of communication mattered because of everything he contributed during six seasons in Los Angeles. Davis helped the Lakers win the title in 2020 and spent much of his time there as LeBron James’ top partner on the roster.

Davis says he deserved more respect from the Lakers

Davis said the way the news reached him still bothers him. He argued that a simple phone call or text message would have shown more respect after years of service and a championship run.

“That’s what I couldn’t get over and I still can’t get over,” Davis said. “I think I deserved much more respect than that.”

The Lakers’ decision also became a major NBA storyline because Davis was sent to Dallas in exchange for Luka Dončić, one of the most significant player trades in recent league history. Davis did not frame the deal as a betrayal of basketball logic, but he made clear that the personal handling of it left a lasting mark.

Pelicans tribute video became a turning point

Davis sounded even more disappointed when he spoke about his return to New Orleans. He said the absence of a tribute video made him realize the relationship with the franchise was over, even though he had once imagined a possible return late in his career.

He recalled telling Pelicans owner Gayle Benson before requesting a trade that he still left the door open for a future reunion. Davis said that changed when the franchise offered no tribute when he came back as a member of the Lakers.

“Then when I went back, that first game, and got no trib, I said, ‘Oh, that door is closed,’” Davis said.

Key points from Davis’ comments

1. He said the Lakers never warned him before trading him to Dallas.
2. He felt the Lakers owed him a call or text after six seasons and a championship.
3. He said the Pelicans’ decision not to play a tribute video ended any chance of a future return.
4. He still described his relationship with Gayle Benson as good on a personal level.
5. He said he had once considered a possible late-career return to New Orleans.

The New Orleans context was more complicated

Davis’ frustration with the Pelicans also came with some context. He had previously pushed for a trade, and his camp had publicly sought a chance to compete for a championship elsewhere. He was also heavily booed by Pelicans fans during that return game, which highlighted how tense the relationship had become.

That backdrop has led some observers to note that a tribute video may not have changed the mood in the arena. Still, Davis made clear that the moment mattered to him and that the lack of recognition sealed his view of the franchise.

Current focus turns to Washington

Davis also discussed his latest stop after the Mavericks sent him to Washington. He said he was surprised by the destination at first, but he quickly came away impressed by the facility and the young players around him.

“Not bad,” Davis said of the organization. He added that the team’s young players “can really hoop” and play without fear in big moments.

Even with that praise, Davis made his priorities clear. He said that at age 33, every season from here should still be about competing for a title, not rebuilding for the long term.

Davis has not yet made his Wizards debut because of a hand injury that has sidelined him since Jan. 8. Washington owns the league’s worst record at 17-62, which gives it strong lottery positioning, but Davis’ comments suggest he wants any future plans to move faster toward contention once he returns to the court.