Anthony Davis showed up at the Dallas Mavericks’ training camp, looking noticeably heavier, and NBA fans wasted no time pointing out the irony. Just months after the Mavs traded Luka Dončić to the Lakers over conditioning concerns, Davis’ fitness has become the hot topic online.
Social media lit up with jokes, and plenty of side-by-side comparisons between “skinny Luka” and a bulked-up AD. Fans weren’t shy in voicing their reactions; many found the timing hilarious.
How Are Fans Reacting to Anthony Davis’ Weight Gain?
Davis has officially been listed at 268 pounds at Mavericks training camp in Vancouver, a 15-pound increase from the 253 pounds he carried at the same time last year. While some see added weight as strength, many fans interpreted it differently, with reactions ranging from playful jabs to outright criticism.
One fan summed it up simply by asking, “Is… is AD looking a little chonk here?” The comment echoed across social media, as others piled on with similar takes.
Is… is AD looking a little chonk here pic.twitter.com/CwSfPwvQmh
— Kirk Henderson (@KirkSeriousFace) October 1, 2025
Another fan called it:
“The irony here would be off the charts, lol,” pointing out that the Mavericks traded away Dončić partly because of his conditioning issues, only to land Davis who now looks heavier and, in their eyes, riskier.
The irony here would be off the charts, lol https://t.co/depk3j9bti
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) October 1, 2025
It didn’t take long some Lakers fans possibly to get involved. Some joked that Davis might be trying to return to LA, “Is AD trying to get sent back to the Lakers” after showing up bulked up.
Is AD trying to get sent back to the Lakers? https://t.co/GWlQgmwD5u
— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) October 1, 2025
Others shared unflattering training camp photos, highlighting angles that made Davis appear even bigger than expected, with one writing:
“Another unflattering angle.”
Another unflattering angle. pic.twitter.com/COeHG4MvW5
— Bruno Alves (@BrunoAlvessi) October 1, 2025
One fan posted a side-by-side comparison: “Skinny Luka for a fat AD. Who won the trade?” The laughing emojis certainly told the rest of the story.
Skinny Luka for a fat AD. Who won the trade?
— LAKERS OVER EVERYTHING (LOE) (@thee1LOE) October 1, 2025
This reaction line stings especially because Dončić has undergone a significant transformation since moving to Los Angeles. After years of criticism over his fitness and diet, Doncic shed over 30 pounds during the offseason and is now celebrated for his new athletic look.
He even graced the Men’s Health magazine cover, proudly showing off the results of a disciplined diet and training program. To see Luka trim down while Davis added weight was the exact irony fans were pointing out.
Why Do the Mavericks Need Davis in Good Shape?
For the Mavericks, the chatter around Davis’ weight isn’t just about appearances. Due to eye surgery, Davis is coming off an offseason with limited on-court work. His track record with injuries only heightens concerns.
Since joining Dallas, he has played in nine games after suffering an adductor strain during his debut. Even last season, Davis managed just 51 appearances and has never logged an entire 82-game campaign.
Still, the Mavs are putting their faith in him. With Kyrie Irving sidelined, Davis is expected to be the centerpiece of the roster alongside Cooper Flagg, D’Angelo Russell and Klay Thompson.
His Hall of Fame résumé speaks for itself–10-time All-Star, 2020 NBA Champion, and the ability to put up big numbers when it counts, like the 40-point performance he delivered in the Mavericks’ play-in loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
However, the weight discussion has created a perception problem. Fans see a team that moved on from Dončić over conditioning issues, only to receive another superstar with similar concerns.
Davis has three weeks before the Mavericks open the 2025-26 season at home against the San Antonio Spurs. That gives him time to shake off rust, refine his conditioning, and show he’s still the dominant force Dallas believes he can be.
For now, though, the conversation is being driven by fans who see the weight gain as another potential setback for an already fragile star.
