At Media Day, fans noticed a clear change in Anthony Davis’s appearance, raising concerns about his condition. In February, the Lakers traded him to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic. Now, there’s strong optimism within the franchise, which also features Cooper Flagg on its roster.
Davis remains one of the NBA’s best players when healthy. However, since the 2024 training camp, he has gained about 15 pounds, sparking doubts among fans about whether he can perform at a high level during the regular season.
A change that sparked fan reactions
According to Athlonsports, Davis’s Media Day appearance with the Mavericks shocked NBA fans. Many took to social media platform X to share their thoughts:
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“They traded the slimmed-down ‘fat Luka’… for a fit Davis who got ‘fat.’”
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“This isn’t ideal for his style of play and injuries.”
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“Didn’t AD say he hadn’t been practicing until last month? His drive has never been there. Glad he’s gone from the Lakers.”
Since last year’s training camp with the Lakers, Anthony Davis has gained 15 pounds 😯 pic.twitter.com/gyn5EdqVhg
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) October 1, 2025
Others questioned his health, writing:
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“That means more stress on his fragile legs.”
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“Slowly letting himself go, thought he wanted to play PF lol.”
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“Not a good sign.”
For many basketball fans, Dallas made the right move acquiring Davis. He has the potential to elevate the team on multiple levels, but his history of injuries makes staying healthy crucial. This will be his 14th season in the NBA, and his ability to avoid setbacks will define his performance.
The expectation is clear: Davis must stay as healthy as possible to lead the Mavericks to the playoffs. With teammates like Flagg by his side, he now has the chance to establish Dallas as a legitimate contender in the West.
