The Dallas Mavericks have opened training camp with a very different Anthony Davis, who has looked heavier and confirmed to be at 268 pounds, 15 more than last year, and sporting protective goggles following offseason eye surgery. Yet, despite the visible changes, Davis’ energy at media day was lighthearted, joking with reporters and lifting the room. However, underneath the smiles was a serious message about his future.
In an interview with Fox 4, it was noted that it was “Great to hear Anthony Davis give a solid breakdown of why he prefers to play the 4 over the 5.” AD told the reporter, “We have two great, you know, fives, [Daniel Gafford] and [Dereck Lively II]. So there’s not much five that I really need to play because one of them will probably be on the floor,” making it clear that he sees long-term value playing the power forward position. Dallas is opening that lane for him.
Davis’ reasoning was direct. He said playing center for a full season adds “more wear and tear on your body.” He pointed to his third year with the Los Angeles Lakers as the turning point, where he shifted to playing center permanently. The change coincided with the LA tenure being plagued by injuries despite solid production, leaving him physically drained.
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This is by no means a new stance. Back with the Lakers, Davis had already made things clear. “My whole career, I’ve been playing the 4, and we’ve seen how I play. I just feel a little bit more effective… But the front office knows that. I’ve told them every year I’ve been here, so it’s nothing new,” he told ESPN in January, highlighting that he was being pushed into a role he did not want.
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Lakers GM Rob Pelinka still put together rosters built around Davis at the five, resulting in repeated strain and years of frustration.
In Dallas, Davis feels understood, saying, “I’ve stressed this to J Kidd, Nico, they understand, and I’m putting my trust in them.” The subtext is impossible to miss: The Lakers left him to fend for himself at the five, but the Mavericks have put him in the role he always wanted.
Though Davis didn’t call out Pelinka by name, comparing his situation speaks louder than any direct criticism.
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How Anthony Davis Escaped the Lakers’ Center Experiment
Anthony Davis has made it clear that his approach in Dallas isn’t just personal preference, but something based on team success. He emphasized in the Fox interview that his focus isn’t on positional battles, but about helping the Mavericks succeed.
While he prefers playing the four, he’s willing to play center when necessary: “In a case where neither [Gafford nor Lively] is on the floor, you know, I’ll play five.” This could be likely now, especially with Daniel Gafford’s recent injury. In Dallas, this won’t be a permanent burden, like in LA.
Davis, when reflecting on his time with the Lakers, highlighted that he was never opposed to playing center at times, saying, “Now, did I play five at times in L.A. and New Orleans? Absolutely.” For him, the problem became the wear and tear on his body which came from playing center full-time.
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During his first year in LA, he played power forward next to the center duo of JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard, letting him roam and stay effective on defense. However, the change was inspired by his performance in the Lakers championship run during the 2020 Playoffs, when he spent most of his minutes playing center.
Even in high-stakes situations, Davis made his priority clear. “Even going to the playoffs … if J Kidd [says], ‘yo, we need you to play the five,’ then that’s what it takes … to win,” he noted. Now, all that’s left to see if his Davis’ bet on himself pays off.