Anthony Davis is getting set for his first full season with the Dallas Mavericks after being traded for Luka Doncic.
One of the main reasons why Nico Harrison and the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic was that they were concerned about his fitness.
That motivated Doncic to get into tremendous shape over the summer as he looks noticeably leaner heading into the 2025-26 campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis has been recovering well from offseason eye surgery to repair a detached retina. Davis returned to five-on-five work just over a week ago, and he appears ready to go for the team’s preseason opener.
Davis will need to wear protective eyewear for the rest of his career. However, that’s not the only thing that looked different about Davis at Mavericks’ training camp.
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty ImagesKendrick Perkins says he thought Anthony Davis would be ‘on a mission’
Davis has been seen at Mavericks training camp looking a little heavier than usual.
He has reportedly gained 15 pounds since last year’s training camp with the Lakers.
ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins took aim at Davis for being out of shape and listed three reasons why he’s disappointed in him.
“One, because you have a rookie in Cooper Flagg, who is your number one pick that’s coming in, and what kind of example is that to show him?
“Two, you are in a tough western conference that’s loaded.
“Three, you was traded for an international superstar, and you are that guy on this team right now, you need to come into camp in shape.
“I’m very disappointed, or a little disappointed, in Anthony Davis, because I thought he would come in and be on a mission this season.”
Anthony Davis says his weight gain is not a concern
With Kyrie Irving out of action until at least January with a torn ACL, the Mavericks need Davis to be fully healthy.
They cannot afford Davis to have any setbacks with his health or his physical performance.
Davis commented on his weight gain and said he wasn’t concerned about it because he usually puts on weight over the summer and then loses it by November.
Mavs PF/C Anthony Davis is listed at 268 pounds, 15 more than last season’s listed weight, but he says it’s not unusual for him to report to camp this heavy. Not a concern, per AD.
His full answer: pic.twitter.com/xCAIF2s1GT
— Tim MacMahon (@BannedMacMahon) October 2, 2025
View Tweet
If the Mavericks want a chance to win the championship this season, they need health on their side and for Davis to play close to an MVP level.