NBA Fans Debate Whether the Lakers Should Retire Anthony Davis’ Jersey: “If He Doesn’t Get It, LeBron Shouldn’t Either!”

Nearly two weeks have passed, yet the impact of the significant trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks is still being felt. The Mavericks traded a package, including Luka Doncic, to acquire Anthony Davis, ending the pairing of Davis and LeBron James. This surprising move took everyone by surprise.

Anthony Davis played five seasons with the Lakers after joining the team in 2019. During his time, he earned four All-Star selections, secured an NBA championship, and won the inaugural NBA Cup. His accomplishments stand out, as many high-profile players have not achieved similar success during their time with the Lakers.

This raises an important question: is Anthony Davis considered a Lakers legend? NBA fans recently discussed the possibility of the Lakers retiring his jersey in an Instagram post. Many pointed out that his achievements with the franchise were equal to those of LeBron James. If LeBron’s jersey could be retired, then so should Davis’.

“I love AD, but no, D Fish did more. If he hadn’t been traded and got another title, maybe.”

“I love AD, but it’s not enough.”

“Nah, he had a good run, but not enough! The Pelicans should retire his jersey.”

“312 games with the Lakers and almost 200 sidelined, absolutely not.”

“I rank AD alongside Pau… AD spent most of his prime with us… Won a title… Hit a huge game-winner against Denver to take us to the Finals… Olympic Gold Medalist… multiple-time All-Star… He was a high-character guy. He’ll get his jersey retired eventually… But I think Fisher, Scott, Horry, and AC deserve it too… AD/LBJ might have their jerseys up there one day.”

“Besides his accolades and being a top 75 player, he gave LA a bubble championship and L.A.’s first IST Cup, why not?”

“He may not get a statue, but his jersey deserves to be retired.

“Pau got his jersey retired after the same number of years and 2 championships. Why can’t AD?”

“The Hall of Fame gets your jersey raised to the rafters with the Laker greats.”

“If LeBron’s jersey is retired in LA, then AD’s should be too because without AD, they wouldn’t have won the ring.”

“Honestly, if LeBron gets his, AD should too. That championship wouldn’t have happened if either one was missing.”

During his time with the Lakers, Davis played 312 games, averaging 24.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game. He shot 53.2% from the field, 28.2% from three-point range, and 79.4% from the free-throw line.

With the Lakers, Davis earned the following:

1x NBA Championship (2020)

1x NBA Cup (2023)

4x NBA All-Star (2020-2021, 2024-2025)

1x All-NBA First Team (2020)

1x All-NBA Second Team (2024)

2x All-Defensive First Team (2020, 2024)

NBA 75th Anniversary Team (2022)

Fans of the Lakers will never forget his accomplishments, especially the championship that ended a decade-long drought. No matter what critics say about his time with the Lakers, Davis will be remembered as a key figure and legend in the franchise’s history.

Given his many accomplishments and the memorable 2020 championship, it seems only fitting that, one day, the Lakers will retire his jersey.

Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers stands for the national anthem before a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.