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Anthony Davis’ name is back in the Los Angeles Lakers conversation after a local sports host said he overheard reporters discussing a possible return.
ESPN Los Angeles posted the exchange Saturday between “Sedano & Kap” co-host Scott Kaplan and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. The insider called a reunion “very unlikely.” The Lakers enter Sunday at 8-2 and first in the Western Conference, while the chatter quickly drew reactions from fans.
Kaplan did not identify the reporters but said he overheard the conversation in the media room at a Lakers game.
“‘I hear that Anthony Davis wants to return to the Lakers.’ … I think they’re credentialized. I think they know what they’re talking about. They assume I have no idea. … A, have you heard it? … And B, is there a world where that could happen?” Kaplan asked.
The response was skeptical.
“Very unlikely. Anthony Davis is one of the bigger question marks in the league this year,” Windhorst said. “There’s like three guys we’re watching, sort of star-level players about will they get traded. One is Anthony Davis, one is Kyrie Irving, Domantas Sabonis is on there. All of them are in the same boat. All of them have options in their contract for next season.”
The former Lakers star spent 5.5 seasons in Los Angeles and won the 2020 NBA championship before being traded to Dallas in the Luka Dončić deal in February 2025. The Mavericks sent him to Washington the following February.
“God please make it happen,” one fan wrote.
LeBron James also left the Lakers in free agency this summer.
“This would be amazing and it would also confirm they backdoored AD & Bron,” podcaster Cuffs The Legend remarked.
Davis is making $58.4 million this season, which became another issue for fans discussing a return.
“Too much money AD. If u took a massive pay cut we could talk … but ur a Rich Paul client. We know u asking for a max. But just imagine Luka AD PnR,” Coach Rome tweeted.
Another fan added, “No thanks, unless it’s on a vet minimum.”
The 33-year-old remains under contract with Washington, which plans to evaluate him before deciding whether to pursue an extension or explore a trade.
“The Wizards basically said, ‘We want to see Anthony Davis play 20 to 30 games, see how he fits with our group,’” Windhorst said.
He also holds a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.
“Opt out and sign for the MLE, let’s work AD,” another fan commented.
Los Angeles added Walker Kessler from Utah this summer for two first-round picks and two pick swaps, giving the Lakers another established center.
One fan argued that Davis no longer fits what the team needs.
“Anthony Davis literally can’t play as a PF at the current stage in his career … Biggest issue AD has … right now is his unwillingness to accept reality of who he is as a player both positionally and contractually. Please keep the ‘aging star represented by Klutch’ drama out of Los Angeles.”
The Lakers’ available trade assets could also complicate any reunion.
“The Lakers just don’t have much high-value things, forget about Anthony Davis, just for any star player,” Windhorst said. “They just don’t have much to trade. They’ve traded all of their picks, for the most part.”
The 10-time All-Star is averaging 23.4 points and 9.3 rebounds per game for Washington. He appeared in just 20 games last season, all with Dallas before the trade, and is eligible for an extension worth about $275 million.