Lakers governor Jeanie Buss previously broke her silence on the blockbuster deal that brought Luka Doncic to LA. However, her latest comments—which come amid LA’s seven game winning streak—have caused a stir surrounding the player they traded to get him.
Jeanie Buss Takes Not-So-Subtle Jab at Former Lakers Star
Buss’s Comments on Anthony Davis
Buss appeared on NPR’s “Morning Edition” Monday to discuss the new Netflix comedy Running Point, a show based on the Lakers of which Buss is an executive producer. Among other topics raised in the interview was the acquisition of Doncic, a move that followed the footsteps of Buss’s late father, Dr. Jerry Buss.
While she acknowledged the team’s excitement over trading for Doncic, Buss also seemed to take a shot at former franchise centerpiece Anthony Davis.
“We gave up a lot to get Luka Dončić. We’re happy we have him. We have lost the last three years in a row to the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs, and we really didn’t have anything that was going to look different going into the playoffs again. Anthony Davis was complaining about where he was being played and he wasn’t happy. So I think this was a positive for both teams. They got what they were looking for; we got what we were looking for.”
Stunning Yet Somewhat Fair Criticism
Though Buss’s remarks may be stunning at first glance, they are not completely wrong, either. The Lakers’ constant losing to Denver certainly reached a head last season. While many thought some decent upgrades could fix the problem, hardly anyone expected a superstar switch-up—a trade that has paid dividends in more ways than one.
The Lakers moved on from Davis as part of a drastic change at the deadline, which came amid the need to acquire frontcourt help. It appears that AD’s Jan. 23 interview with Shams Charania—where he all but begged for the Lakers to trade for another center—was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.
In the weeks since then, the Lakers have looked markedly better with Doncic and LeBron James. The duo has put on several offensive masterclasses, most recently combining for 64 points (LeBron 34, Luka 30) in LA’s win over the Pelicans Tuesday night. The Lakers have also managed to climb the ranks defensively, a shocker considering the five-time All-Defensive Team selection they gave up. The purple and gold have allowed fewer points with Doncic compared to Davis, and they’ve boasted a better defensive rating as well: 107.4, which is third in the Association.
After trading a DPOY candidate in Anthony Davis, the Lakers defense… got better?
🔹Before the trade: 112.7 points allowed
🔹After the trade: 106.1 points allowedAnd the Lakers have a better defensive rating since they sent AD to Dallas in exchange for Luka Doncic.
Make it… pic.twitter.com/WQ66c2M8KS
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 3, 2025
As for Denver, the Lakers beat the 2023 champions for just the second time in their last 15 meetings on Feb. 22. Doncic recorded a double-double of 32 points and ten rebounds, and the team’s defense shut down Nikola Jokic with constant triple-teams. The remaining LA-Denver matchups could be a playoff preview and will be a major test for the Lakers if this rivalry lands a part three.
The Last Word on Jeanie Buss’s AD Comments
Buss’s discussion of Davis contrasts any previous praise of the ten-time All-Star, but it also reinforces how this league is a business at the end of the day. While Davis’s accomplishments as a Laker should always be celebrated, there’s little doubt this was the right move at the right time. Both sides truly got what they wanted, and the Lakers are set for success both now and in the future.
© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
