One of the most surprising aspects of the trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks, which involved swapping Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis, is that nearly no one knew the deal was happening. Both teams kept everything under wraps, and even Utah Jazz executive Danny Ainge, who was crucial to making the trade work, wasn’t informed of the details until the last moment.

LeBron James has stated that he had no prior knowledge of the trade, and his and Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, has confirmed the same, with all parties involved insisting that only those who absolutely needed to know were informed. However, Davis isn’t entirely convinced by this claim.

In an interview with Broderick Turner from the L.A. Times, Davis shared the emotional journey he went through upon learning about the trade and expressed skepticism about the idea that nobody knew it was coming.

“When it happened, I honestly didn’t know s—,” Davis said as he stood in the hallway of Crypto.com Arena after the Lakers’ 107-99 win. “He’s been my running mate for six years… so the first thing I wanted to do was call him. … Obviously, I know there are going to be a lot of political things in the front office when they talk to me.

“The front office has to do what it has to do, and obviously they’re going to do what’s best for the organization. So I don’t know if I ever got the ‘real’ about any of it. I don’t know what’s true or what’s not, coming from upstairs. So, my thing is I’m gonna go to my counterpart who I’ve been running with and see what’s going on, get his reaction, and that’s all it was. We had a conversation. That was it.

“Everybody’s saying nobody knew and all this other s—. I just don’t believe it. But, hey man, I’m past that. I’m ready to move forward with Dallas, try to get a championship there with these guys. First off, getting back on the floor and getting ready to compete. All the emotions, that s— lasted that night when it was just a shock.”

While Davis didn’t specify who he believes may have known, he’s not alone in feeling this way. In a time when leaks are so common, the fact that the Lakers and Mavericks managed to keep the trade a secret is remarkable. Nevertheless, Davis is focused on moving forward with his new team and getting his family settled in Dallas.

“They wanted who they wanted. They did what they had to do,” Davis said. “I don’t know if they had to, but it’s what they wanted to do. I moved on. I got a wife and kids to worry about, you know what I’m saying? And I’m figuring out how I’m going to get them to Dallas and get adjusted to that.

“It’s over with, and I’m moving on with my new team and what we got going on.”

Like Doncic, Davis must not only focus on the basketball aspect but also the logistics of relocating his family to a new city. The stress of such a move is compounded by the demands of the NBA season.

The full details of who knew about the Doncic-Davis trade may never come to light, but the Lakers and Mavericks are both moving forward with fresh perspectives on their futures.

LeBron James Praises Anthony Davis During Return to L.A.

Although Anthony Davis was sidelined by injury, he made his first return to Los Angeles since the trade during the Lakers’ win over the Mavericks. The Lakers honored Davis with a tribute video, and LeBron James watched with pride as his close friend received the recognition he deserved.

“I definitely saw it. I watched it from start to finish,” LeBron said about the tribute video. “We know what AD was to this franchise and what he did for this franchise from the moment we got him to hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy to All-Star nods to winning the In-Season Tournament in the first inaugural In-Season Tournament and many, many dominant nights. Not only in this building but also on the road as well. Obviously our friendship goes without saying. He’s one of my best friends and it was great to see him get that recognition and get that moment.”