Anthony Davis walked into Dallas Mavericks training camp on Day 1, and suddenly, every NBA fan and social media account in the world had their magnifying glass out. The 6-foot-10, 253-pound forward is no stranger to the spotlight, but this was different. Davis has played 70+ games only three times in his 13-year NBA career. Injuries have been part of his history almost as much as his 10-time All-Star selections and four All-NBA First Team nods. But this week, fans were wondering if history was about to repeat itself, and maybe, just maybe, they were onto something.

But with greatness comes concern. His tenure in Los Angeles was marred by injuries like calf strains, knee issues, and even those infamous groin tweaks during crunch playoff moments. In Dallas, that perception has shifted from what AD can do to whether AD can even stay healthy long enough to anchor a championship contender. For context here, Dallas traded away Luka Doncic in a February 2025 deal, acquiring AD as a centerpiece. At the time, Doncic was the cornerstone of the franchise with five consecutive All-NBA First Team selections, a Finals appearance, and the kind of star whose name you could arguably tattoo on the team’s identity.

The trade stunned the NBA and fans alike. Even now, analysts debate its wisdom. From a salary perspective, it was a complex move as moving Luka’s cap hit for Davis, who, at the time of the trade, waived a $5.9 million bonus, helped Dallas dodge luxury tax complications while gaining a player with defensive talent and playoff experience. Even Nico Harrison, Mavericks GM, has made no secret of his admiration for AD. He calls him “one of the best two-way players in the league,” someone whose defensive mindset could reshape Dallas’ culture.

But Harrison’s history with Luka, including disagreements over conditioning and diet, still largely dominates. The whispers were loud that Luka’s weight and approach to fitness became a justification for the trade, even after he transformed himself physically post-Lakers arrival. Now, all eyes are on Davis. The Mavs hope history doesn’t repeat itself, but fans are skeptical. Because the stakes are huge. Dallas won the 2025 NBA draft lottery, selecting Cooper Flagg, adding another layer to the puzzle. Can Davis, who, by the way, will be wearing protective eyewear for the rest of his NBA career, and Flagg coexist as complementary forces, or will conditioning and injury histories dominate headlines?

The Mavs have revamped training staff and rotations, clearly signaling an intention to protect their investment. But even the most carefully calibrated systems can’t fully erase history. And then there’s social media, which, of course, had its own verdict. Training camp photos of Davis quickly became meme material. Some fans commented on his size with humor tinged with apprehension. Others speculated about future injury risks and poked fun at the cultural shift in Dallas’ locker room.

These reactions reflect just how invested fans are in the fate of the franchise and in Davis’ ability to meet the massive expectations.

Fan concerns meet Anthony Davis’ 2025-26 season in Dallas

“Is… is AD looking a little chonk here?” one tweet read. Another joked, “This would be an all timer… if Luka got skinny and AD got fat lmao.” Some Dallas faithful went further, blending humor with caution: “Yes, large and in charge. He’d better be careful, Nico might trade him for someone older and more injury prone 👀.” The comment about Harrion was an indirect jab at him trading Doncic.

Even rookie Flagg wasn’t spared, with fans warning, “It’s our Texas diet unfortunately. Wait till Flagg gains 20 pounds halfway into the season and Nico gets a heart attack.” And then the keen-eyed observers: “I knew it! Saw the media day pics he kept trying to fold his arms to hide his weight gain.” Davis, of course, has seen scrutiny before. Back in New Orleans, his fitness was questioned during the early Pelicans years. Yet, he averaged over 24.4 points per game during peak seasons, and once logged 722 total defensive rebounds in 2023-24 (his highest yet), a number that screams both durability and dominance, even if durability has always been relative.

His 2.3 blocks per game career average positions him as one of the most intimidating defenders of his era. Dallas fans’ concerns aren’t trivial. AD’s injuries are well-documented. Yet, when healthy, he’s the kind of player who can anchor a team defensively while stretching the floor offensively. For a team adjusting to the loss of Doncic, his role is unproven. The rotation is being designed around him, and that carries enormous pressure. Financially, though, Davis’ contract adds layers to the story.

With a current cap hit of $54.1 million in 2025–26, Dallas is betting on him not just to perform but to stay on the court consistently. If he can play 70-plus games in a season, the Mavericks are essentially gaining a top-10 NBA player at a significant discount relative to market value. Miss games, and the narrative swings back toward skepticism, both from the media and the fanbase.

The Mavs’ coaching staff is acutely aware. New rotations, protective gear, and strength training programs are designed with durability in mind. AD revealed he’d be wearing protective eyewear for the rest of his career that could reduce concussion risks, but also symbolizes the level of attention on his health. Every precaution is part of a broader experiment to see if Dallas can blend talent and longevity. Ultimately, Anthony Davis’ 2025-26 season in Dallas is more a story loaded with past shadows, present pressures, and future promise.

From fans tweeting about “chonk” to analysts projecting playoff outcomes, every angle tells a story. If health and form align, he could justify the trade that stunned the NBA. If not, the memes and the scrutiny will only grow louder. Either way, the season ahead promises drama and a front-row seat to a basketball narrative that refuses to be boring.