Davis bids farewell to Los Angeles Lakers, ready for 'next chapter'

LOS ANGELES — Anthony Davis paid tribute to Los Angeles in a farewell message to his adopted city on Monday (Tuesday Manila time) following his shock trade to the Dallas Mavericks.

In his first comments since news broke that the Los Angeles Lakers were trading him to Dallas in exchange for Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic, Davis described the deal as "business."

The Doncic-Davis trade is widely regarded as the most jaw-dropping deal in NBA history, a stunning coup conducted in utmost secrecy that no one saw coming.

In a post on Instagram, Davis said he was pleased to have been able to deliver an NBA championship for the Lakers during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season.

"Six years ago, I came here with the vision to win a Championship, and I will never forget the moment we did!" the 31-year-old wrote.

"The business of basketball is a business just like all other businesses... I am grateful to the city where my first ring came from, grew my family and friendships and I will always have a home here," said Davis, who reportedly paid $31 million for a mansion in the exclusive Los Angeles neighborhood of Bel Air in 2021.

"My family and I thank everyone who made this place home and we are still thinking of those that lost their homes in the fires," he said, refering to deadly blazes that ravaged parts of the city last month.

Los Angeles "will always have a special place in my heart," he added. "Every great story has an exciting next chapter... Dallas -- Here we come!"