Anthony Davis came from the New Orleans Pelicans to the LA Lakers, not just to join LeBron James but to pursue a championship. He delivered on that goal the next season, yet his rise as the Lakers’ next big star never happened. That stalled progression set the stage for his February trade, and recent reports indicate the Lakers had been eyeing a split even before the Feb shocker.

Some chalk this all up to Davis’s injuries, but recent reporting suggests the concerns ran deeper. Brett Seigel of ClutchPoints notes that the Lakers doubted his commitment, believing his effort held him back from managing those injuries. One team source told Seigel that Davis often showed up to training camp in below-average shape, a trend that contributed to the growing push to move him.

“There were moments in the preseason where we wondered if he had even worked out at all in the summer. He would come back, go through warmups, and then either sit out to be with the training staff or basically half-ass what the team was doing,” he told Seigel.

“When he first got here, that wasn’t the case. He was always wanting to go above and beyond, and he was one of the first in the gym, last out of it. Over the years, that changed, and he almost became content in a way. It was clear he was out of shape and didn’t seem to care what the higher-ups were telling him. Something definitely changed.” The source further revealed.

Although no one on the LA Lakers’ staff could pinpoint the exact issue with Anthony Davis, they consistently noticed a lack of effort during rehab and training. That pattern reportedly followed him to Dallas.

Earlier this season, reports suggested Davis showed up to Mavericks training camp significantly overweight, adding to ongoing concerns about his conditioning and commitment. He has already missed several games with a calf injury, yet at 32, he still has time to rebound if the right support resets his mindset. Even so, these revelations are likely to complicate Dallas’ hopes of moving him in a meaningful trade.

New intel on Anthony Davis might hamper his trade stock

Following GM Nico Harrison’s ugly exit from the Dallas Mavericks, all eyes have been on Anthony Davis. Many believe that his days in Texas are limited, as the historic franchise might decide to trade him in exchange for a haul. However, that dream might’ve taken a hit with the new report suggesting that there are work ethic concerns around the 32-year-old.

Three teams emerged as ideal contenders for Anthony Davis earlier, including the Sacramento Kings, the Chicago Bulls, and the Golden State Warriors. Firstly, the Kings emerged as a top spot for AD, as they would’ve been willing to spend a fortune to land the superstar forward, especially given their desperation to stay competitive.

Meanwhile, the Bulls, who have started the 2025-26 campaign in red-hot form, could use a bona fide star like Anthony Davis. It could take them from a first-round team to a serious playoff contender. Lastly, Anthony Davis has been on the Warriors’ wish list for the longest, but just couldn’t find the perfect timing to land him.

Right now could be the best window for another team to pursue the veteran forward. Several franchises would likely view Davis as both a fit and a worthwhile gamble, yet the recent concerns around his conditioning may push the Mavericks to soften their asking price. Whether they actually do that remains unclear, but it is a storyline worth watching closely in the weeks ahead.