Anthony Davis makes his Mavs debut against Houston

Although it’s rare that a player of Anthony Davis’ ilk gets traded, last weekend was the second time in his career that he’s been traded.

But this time the trade was a shock to the system. And not just to Davis’ system.

After spending the first seven seasons (2012-19) of his NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans, Davis requested a trade after telling the Pelicans he wouldn’t be signing a contract extension during the 2019 offseason. So, the Pelicans shipped Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and a trio of first-round draft picks.

However, when the Lakers traded Davis, Max Christie and a first-round draft pick to the Dallas Mavericks last weekend for Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, Davis was blindsided. And that means Davis had to – at least while the season is going on – leave Los Angeles and his $31 million 20,000-plus square foot mansion in LA that has eight bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a 120-foot swimming pool and a tennis court that sits on 3.5 acres.

It’s a move to Dallas that comes with lots of emotions for Davis, considering the 10-time All-Star has a wife and three kids.

“For me, I’ve been traded twice now, but the first time I asked for a trade, so I was already mentally prepared for it and it was in the summer,” Davis said. “Now this (trade) is a little different.

“I was shocked at first and mentally just all over the place. I didn’t believe it, actually, at first. I’m pretty sure nobody did. But when I was headed on the plane to Dallas (last Sunday) that’s when it kind of hit me this is really happening.”

Oh, the trade happened. And it also was a pivotal moment in the life of Christie, who is in his third NBA season.

“Obviously, the transition is fast, but we got a good win in Boston (Thursday) night,” Christie said. “And for me, I’m just trying to come in and fit in seamlessly and play with a lot of effort and intensity.

“The style of play that we have is very free-flowing and very easy to kind of integrate to. So, I’m looking forward to continuing to get my feet wet with the system and get use to the concept and win some more games.”

Davis, who will play his first game for the Mavs on Saturday when they host the Houston Rockets, said he plans to “give life back” to the heartbroken Mavs’ fans. He also said he was “still kind of like in a fog” earlier this week when he took his physical.

“But when I was able to get around the team the first time in (Philadelphia), I was fine,” Davis said. “I think the game of basketball allows me, and probably everyone else, to kind of be in a safe place and kind of get away from everything.”

Davis averaged 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks this season for the Lakers while shooting 52.8 percent from the field. Now, all that synergy he developed with the Lakers will be shifted to the Mavs.

“I know any time I’m going through anything, I can go to the gym or anything with basketball, and it kind of just brings me back to the center and brings me back to peace,” Davis said. “I know tomorrow when I’m going to be on the floor, when that ball is tipped up for the opening tip I’ll be fine.

“I think mentally now just being around the guys and having a chance to be on the court a couple of days and hanging out with the guys laughing and joking, I’m in a great place.”

Here are some other nuggets surrounding Saturday’s game between the Mavs and Rockets.

*For the Mavs, this is the opener of a five-game home stand. The home stand also involves Monday’s game against Sacramento, Wednesday’s contest against Golden State and Thursday’s game against Miami before the Mavs pause for the All-Star break. The home stand continues after the All-Star break when they Mavs entertain New Orleans on Feb. 21.

*This is the finale of a four-game road trip for the Rockets, who are 0-3 on this trip. Houston lost at the New York Knicks (124-118) on Monday, lost at Brooklyn (99-97) on Tuesday, and lost at Minnesota (127-114) on Thursday.

*The Mavs will be without Dereck Lively II (right ankle stress fracture), Dwight Powell (right hip strain) and Caleb Martin (strained right hip).

*Houston won’t have Fred VanVleet (right ankle sprain), Jabari Smith Jr. (fractured left hand) and Cody Zeller (personal).

*Mavs forward Anthony Davis has shot at least 50 percent from the field in 11 of his 13 NBA seasons. The only time he didn’t shoot 50 percent from the floor was during the 2015-16 season when he converted 49.3 percent of his shots, and during the 2020-21 season when he shot 49.1 percent from the field.

*The Rockets were rolling with 10 wins in 12 games from Jan. 5-28. But they come into Dallas riding a five-game losing streak. After Saturday, the Rockets will play three home games before the All-Star break — Sunday against Toronto, Wednesday against Phoenix and Thursday against Golden State.

*The Mavs are coming off Thursday’s impressive 127-120 win in Boston when they led the defending NBA champion Celtics by 27 points in the second half. The Mavs scored 67 points in the first half against Boston. That’s the second-most points the Celtics have allowed in the first half this season. The Mavs shot 56 percent from the field against the Celtics, which is the highest field goal percentage they’ve allowed in a game this season.

*In the win over the Celtics, the Mavs had three players score at least 15 points in the same game for the first time this season. That includes Klay Thompson (25), Spencer Dinwiddie (22), Naji Marshall (20), Kyrie Irving (19), Dante Exum (15) and Max Christie (15).

HOUSTON ROCKETS (32-19) at DALLAS MAVERICKS (27-25)

When: 2 p.m., Saturday

Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas

TV: KFAA-29, MavsTV Stream

Radio: KEGL 97.1 FM The Eagle, 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

X: @DwainPrice