Anthony Davis stepped into the NBA spotlight as the world was still reeling from the Dallas Mavericks trade. Which saw Luka Dončić go to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavs’ newly acquired big man, Davis, had a unique challenge. It was not only that he was replacing Dončić’s shoes, but he was doing it in the middle of angry fans just devastated by the trade. Now that trade has shaken the foundation of Dallas’ future, Davis has a heavier mission: Earn the city’s trust and respect.

Anthony Davis, who will make his debut on 8 February against the Houston Rockets, knew he had to deal with the emotional fallout straight away. “I understand it, obviously, as business and get to know who Luka was to this franchise city. I’m never going to downplay that, just as I meant the city of LA. So, I am not surprised by the defense’s reaction and the city’s reaction,” he explained during his press conference.

Though Davis was trying to remain levelheaded, outside the Mavericks’ arena the reactions painted a different picture. Holding signs such as “Refund Our Tickets” and chanting Dončić’s name, fans clearly weren’t pleased.  Still, Davis remained focused on what he was there to do. “Obviously it’s a tough transition. It was a shock to all. But like I said, my job is to come in and play basketball and win basketball games,” he said.

However, Mavericks’ front office backed the trade as a necessary shift to focus on defense and experience. Nico Harrison of GM praised Davis for his “dual capability on both ends” and aspires for his defensive prowess to help bring the team closer to their championship dreams. It’s evident that the Mavs are placing their faith in Davis to get them back on the right track.

Still, not everyone is convinced. The trade was risky, critics contend, given Davis’ injury history—last season he missed 42 games with an abdominal strain. Some of his new teammates, like Daniel Gafford, even admitted that the deal was tough to swallow. Gafford admitted that Dončić was a rare, once in a lifetime player, says, “It hurts emotionally.”

The road ahead for Anthony Davis in Dallas

Now, the real test begins. With a revamped Mavericks team, Davis will team up with Kyrie Irving to form a new pair of stalwarts. Coach Jason Kidd, former mentor of Davis with the Lakers during their 2020 title run, felt that Davis’ defensive skill will play an important role in replacing Dončić’s offensive brilliance.

That being said, the fans are still processing the change. Dončić’s No. 77 jerseys continue to dominate in the team stores, and protests and social media rants are far from over. It’s clear that, for many in Dallas, replacing Dončić with Davis is a hard pill to swallow.

Davis’ first game will be against the Houston Rockets in crucial. Stepping up and providing the wins the team requires might begin to win the fanbase over. But if things don’t work out, this could be remembered as one of the boldest—and maybe the most controversial—moves in the history of the NBA.

As Davis takes the court in Dallas, he knows the weight of the situation.Davis has the chance to leave his own mark in Mavericks history, while Dončić’s legacy casts a long shadow. Only time will tell if he can meet the challenge and help the team rise again.