Davis was LeBron’s teammate for longer than anyone else listed here, both in terms of years and minutes played. Though there are arguments for Bosh and Wade, AD is probably the best defender LeBron ever played with.
And prior to the trade that sent him to the Dallas Mavericks, it looked like he was finally ready to assume the role of lead scorer from LeBron.
In 2024-25, AD’s 25.7 points as a Laker was clear of LeBron’s 24.5. His usage percentage was slightly higher, too.
It’s not like Davis was just then breaking out either. In his five-plus seasons with L.A., he put up 24.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.2 steals. In the 2020 playoffs, which ended with a title, he was at 27.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists. That postseason, he also shot 38.3 percent from deep.
During his time with LeBron, there were plenty of reasonable gripes about AD’s consistency as a jump-shooter and his struggles to be available. But when he played, Davis was a dynamic defensive anchor and sometimes unstoppable interior scorer.
He didn’t prove to be the heir to be LeBron’s Lakers, as many once expected him to be, but he was the best No. 2 he ever had (at least for now).