Anthony Davis Thriving with Mavericks’ Gift Lakers Let Slip Away
In the ever-evolving landscape of the NBA, the smallest missteps can ripple into monumental shifts. For the Los Angeles Lakers, one such misstep may have been their failure to secure a piece that is now turning into a game-changer for their own star big man—Anthony Davis. As Davis enjoys a surge of form and synergy, it’s the Dallas Mavericks who have delivered him a gift the Lakers overlooked—and perhaps foolishly denied him.
The Gift in Disguise: Dereck Lively II
The gift in question? Rookie sensation Dereck Lively II. Drafted by the Mavericks, Lively has emerged as a formidable defensive anchor and energetic paint presence—exactly the type of player the Lakers have been scrambling to find to complement Davis for years. His rebounding instincts, rim protection, and willingness to do the dirty work have allowed Davis to flourish in a more natural power forward role when they share the floor during matchups.
While the Lakers have cycled through a revolving door of backup bigs—some too raw, some too slow, and others just not ready for the playoff grind—Lively has seamlessly carved a role for himself in Dallas. He’s brought an infectious energy, and more importantly, he’s taken defensive pressure off of Davis in the low post, giving the Lakers’ star more freedom on both ends of the floor when they face the Mavericks.
A Glimpse of What Could’ve Been
Reports have circulated that the Lakers had eyes on Lively during the draft process. But whether due to front office hesitations or a lack of aggressive maneuvering, they missed their shot. Now, watching Lively thrive in Dallas colors while Davis does battle with heavier responsibilities again highlights a key issue: roster construction around a generational big man like AD.
Lively’s presence in Dallas has also allowed Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving to focus more on their offensive brilliance, knowing the back end is being secured. For Davis, the dream scenario would’ve been having that kind of safety net behind him—something reminiscent of his days in New Orleans when he had a young, mobile rim-runner to ease the physical toll.
Davis’ Subtle Admiration
Though Davis hasn’t outright voiced frustration, his body language and occasional comments suggest admiration for what Dallas has built around their stars. It’s no secret he’s at his best when not forced to shoulder the entire defensive load down low, and Lively would’ve been the perfect fit alongside him.
The irony? Davis is thriving when he doesn’t have to do everything—something the Lakers have yet to truly grasp in roster construction. With playoff intensity ramping up, the margin for error narrows, and not having a young, high-motor big like Lively could be a glaring weakness.
Looking Ahead
As the Mavericks rise and the Lakers stumble to find consistency, the narrative around Davis and the gift they let slip will only grow louder. In the high-stakes world of NBA team-building, sometimes the most painful misses aren’t the stars you couldn’t land, but the role players you didn’t recognize soon enough.
And as Anthony Davis looks across the court and sees the player who might’ve made his life easier in purple and gold, one can only imagine the quiet what ifs echoing in his mind.
