Anthony Davis Faces Spotlight as Lakers Star Confronts an Embarrassing On-Court Struggle That Has the NBA Talking

Anthony Davis was once considered the future of the NBA. A generational prospect out of Kentucky, he won NCAA Player of the Year as a freshman, was drafted No. 1 overall, and quickly became one of the league’s most dominant big men. By his third season, he was fifth in MVP voting and named First Team All-NBA. At 23, he averaged 28 points, 11.8 rebounds, and over two blocks per game. He was on track to be one of the greatest big men ever.

Today, Davis finds himself in a very different position. The Dallas Mavericks, who acquired him in the infamous Luka Dončić trade, are reportedly shopping him. Davis himself expects to be traded. But the shocking reality is that few teams want him.

The Decline of “Street Clothes”

The nickname “Anthony Street Clothes Davis” began as a joke. Now it feels like a warning. Davis has played more than 62 games in a season just once since 2018. Injuries have defined his career as much as his talent.

Even when healthy, Davis has struggled to adapt his game as he ages. Great veteran bigs reinvent themselves—Brook Lopez famously transformed into a stretch five at age 28, hitting 134 threes in a season after making just three in his career before that. Davis, by contrast, has regressed. He shot 34 percent from three in 2018, but from 2021 to 2025, he hit just 25.7 percent. This season, he’s at 31.3 percent. In the modern NBA, that’s not good enough.

The Contract Problem

Davis’s contract compounds the issue. He is set to make over $62 million in 2028. For a player with his injury history and declining production, that figure is daunting.

Teams are wary of committing to a star who may spend as much time in street clothes as on the court.

Luka Dončić: The Painful Comparison

The Luka Dončić trade remains one of the most lopsided in NBA history. Dallas gave up Luka for Davis, believing Luka was unreliable and out of shape. The Lakers reportedly “rigged” the deal, convincing the Mavericks they needed a dependable star.

The results have been disastrous. Luka has blossomed into one of the league’s brightest stars, averaging nearly a 35-point triple-double and leading Dallas to the 2024 Finals. He played all 22 playoff games, even while battling injuries so severe his knees bled through bandages.

Davis, meanwhile, has struggled to stay on the floor. The contrast is stark, and humiliating for Dallas.

Fan Backlash

Even teams linked to Davis face backlash from their own fans. The Chicago Bulls, his hometown team, have been rumored as a destination. But Bulls fans on Reddit overwhelmingly rejected the idea. One post titled “We don’t want Anthony Davis” received nearly 900 upvotes. Comments included:

“He’s injured so often it would be another worthless contract.”
“I’d rather have D-Rose come out of retirement as a vet presence than AD.”
“If we trade for Anthony Davis, we riot.”

The Golden State Warriors, desperate to maximize Steph Curry’s remaining years, have also been mentioned. But their fans hate the idea. The Detroit Pistons, flush with assets, have shown little interest.

Davis is being treated like Ben Simmons—a negative asset rather than a franchise cornerstone.

The Legacy Question

It wasn’t always this way. In the 2020 playoffs, Davis was brilliant, averaging 27.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. He hit clutch shots, including a dagger three against Miami, and delivered game-saving blocks. He was instrumental in LeBron James winning his lone Lakers title.

But that is not the legacy Davis is leaving. Instead, his reputation is defined by injuries, inconsistency, and unmet potential.

The Weight Issue

Reports from training camp added fuel to the fire. Luka arrived in shape, lean and ready. Davis, by contrast, reportedly gained 15 pounds. For a veteran expected to set the tone, it was a troubling sign.

Market Value Collapse

Over the summer, NBA insider Shams Charania suggested Davis could fetch five first-round picks if available. Now, on the open market, teams are barely calling.

Consider the context:

Bradley Beal, widely considered the worst contract in basketball, was traded to Phoenix for Chris Paul and four pick swaps.
Rudy Gobert cost Minnesota five first-round picks.
Davis, once a generational prospect, is struggling to generate interest.

His value has collapsed.

The Bigger Picture

Davis’s decline raises broader questions about how stars age in the modern NBA. Nikola Jokić, at 30, is having the best statistical season of his career and may win his fourth MVP. Davis, at 32, is averaging his lowest points per game since his third season.

Great players adapt. Davis has not.

Conclusion: If Healthy

The phrase “if healthy” has become Davis’s defining qualifier. If healthy, he can still be elite. If healthy, he can still swing a playoff series. If healthy, he can still be a ceiling-raiser.

But “if healthy” is not enough. Teams need reliability. Fans need trust. And Davis, once destined for greatness, is now viewed as a liability.

His nickname may no longer be “Street Clothes.” It may simply be “If Healthy.”