Dec 21, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) high fives forward Anthony Davis (3) after scoring against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Anthony Davis Makes Honest Kyrie Irving Statement After Dallas Mavericks Trade

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Feb 4, 2025 7:04 PM ET

On Tuesday night, the Dallas Mavericks will play the 76ers in Philadelphia.

Before the game, Anthony Davis (who is not playing) met with the media for the first time as a member of the Mavs.

He was asked about his new teammate (Kyrie Irving).

Davis: "Me and Kai talked about this, I think, in 2018 when I asked for a trade from New Orleans... We've been wanting to play alongside each other for a very long time, and now we've got the opportunity to do so."

"We've been wanting to play alongside each other for a very long time." - AD on playing with Kai

Watch AD's full media availability on YouTube ⤵️https://t.co/1MWK25dHWP @ATT // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/4ACEjlfNHR
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) February 4, 2025

Davis is averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.1 blocks per contest while shooting 52.8% from the field and 29.8% from the three-point range in 42 games.

He is expected to form an elite duo with Irving.

Via StatMuse: "The Dallas Mavericks:

Anthony Davis
Caleb Martin
Kyrie Irving
Klay Thompson
Max Christie
PJ Washington
Daniel Gafford
Naji Marshall
Dereck Lively
Spencer Dinwiddie
Jaden Hardy
Dante Exum"

The Dallas Mavericks:

Anthony Davis
Caleb Martin
Kyrie Irving
Klay Thompson
Max Christie
PJ Washington
Daniel Gafford
Naji Marshall
Dereck Lively
Spencer Dinwiddie
Jaden Hardy
Dante Exum

Top __ roster in the West. pic.twitter.com/IwPsUpSfN1
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 4, 2025

Irving is in his third season playing for Dallas.

Last season, the future Hall of Famer helped lead the franchise to the NBA Finals for the first time in 13 years.

He is currently averaging 24.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 47.9% from the field and 41.5% from the three-point range in 39 games.

Right now, the Mavs are the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 26-24 record in 50 games.

This article first appeared on Fastbreak on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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