Former NBA Champ Predicts a Bounce-Back Year For Anthony Davis

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 12:45 AM ET

Anthony Davis is set to have his first full season with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025-26 NBA campaign. The Los Angeles Lakers traded Davis for Luka Doncic in the middle of the previous season; therefore, he only appeared in nine games. AD also experienced injuries, which hindered his availability.

In his first nine games with the Mavericks, Davis averaged 20 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.2 blocks. The 2020 NBA champion tried to make a late-season playoff push. Unfortunately for the 10-time All-Star, he didn't have his co-star with him. All-Star guard Kyrie Irving suffered a torn ACL injury, which ruled him out for the rest of the season.

With how the season turned out, former champion Kendrick Perkins believes Davis will come out stronger.

Perkins Predicts Davis Will Have a Revenge Season

In the most recent audio episode, "Road Trippin'," Perkins discussed how other people are ignoring AD. He also mentioned New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns as another player who has something to prove next season.

"People are sleeping on Anthony Marshon Davis Jr… Anthony Davis and Karl Anthony Towns are the two players who have the most to prove this season," the 2008 champion said.

"Like I said, AD was traded for an international superstar. Anthony Davis is going to be on a mission… the passion and what I've been saying for Anthony Davis before the season ended, what he's been saying in the media for how he has embraced this, people better watch the (expletive) out for AD."

Anthony Davis bounce-back year is loading...

“People are sleeping on Anthony Marshon Davis Jr.” - @KendrickPerkins pic.twitter.com/c1o1U5phxQ
— Road Trippin’ (@RoadTrippinPod) August 19, 2025

When he was with the Lakers, Davis proved to be one of the best players in the NBA. However, injuries have been his problem, hindering his availability for most of the time.

This season, Perk believes that AD is motivated to take over the league, especially after he was part of the most shocking trade in history.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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