In one of the most seismic moves of recent NBA history, the Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to swap Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic stunned the league. But as the dust settles, fresh revelations are emerging—details that paint a clearer picture of just how close Davis was to landing somewhere entirely different.
New reporting now shows that the trade with Dallas wasn’t the only option on the table. In fact, multiple franchises quietly entertained the idea of adding Davis to their roster before the Mavericks stepped in with an offer the Lakers could not ignore.
Lakers held early talks with several teams
According to reporting from Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Lakers initially cast a wide net when they began exploring the possibility of moving Davis. Among the first teams to engage with them were the Boston Celtics, who reportedly showed enough interest to spark multiple conversations.
“Of the teams that the Lakers spoke with when they were first putting out feelers for Anthony Davis, the Boston Celtics held a couple of calls with Los Angeles, sources said,” Siegel wrote. “Nothing ever progressed to where there was any actual momentum, but Los Angeles was receiving signals that Brad Stevens and his front office were receptive to the idea.”
While those discussions never blossomed into full negotiations, Boston didn’t dismiss the idea. Instead, they left the door cracked open.
“The five-word message the Lakers got back from Boston was enough to let them know they would consider such a move in the summer: ‘We’ll keep it in mind.’”
Why Boston considered making the move
Behind the scenes, the Celtics were already in the midst of a roster reassessment. With Jayson Tatum recovering from a torn Achilles, internal conversations had begun about reshaping the team’s core. Acquiring Anthony Davis—even at the cost of players such as Jrue Holiday or Kristaps Porzingis—was viewed as a potentially transformative gamble. For Boston, the upside was undeniable.
When healthy, Davis remains one of the most dominant big men in the league. His ability to anchor both ends of the court made him an attractive target despite concerns surrounding injuries and long-term durability.
Had the deal materialized, the Lakers would have received a substantial return built around proven veterans and future draft capital. But the moment passed, and Boston ultimately hesitated just long enough for the landscape to shift.
Dallas steps in with an unmatched offer
Just when it seemed the market for Davis might stall, Mavericks GM Nico Harrison made his move. The deal Dallas presented to Rob Pelinka immediately stood out—so much so that the Lakers’ front office didn’t feel the need to deliberate.
The swap for Luka Doncic offered something neither Boston nor the other interested teams could match: a generational superstar entering his prime. With internal trust in Davis fading, the Lakers quickly accepted the offer that reshaped the franchise overnight.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis has struggled to stay on the court in Dallas as the Mavericks navigate a turbulent start to their season. Looking back, the Celtics’ hesitation may ultimately prove costly. By not acting sooner, Boston lost the chance to land a franchise-defining talent at a moment of vulnerability for Los Angeles.
What began as exploratory conversations has evolved into one of the most influential trades of the decade.