An Eastern Conference powerhouse is said to have its eyes on Anthony Davis’ availability in the trade market. But fans are skeptical, given the source.
The Detroit Pistons are reportedly interested in the Dallas Mavericks big man. ESPN host Kendrick Perkins shared the rumor on a recent appearance on the “Road Trippin” podcast. According to Perkins, one of his inside sources told him that the Pistons have “a lot of interest in Anthony Davis.”
A Davis-to-Detroit trade would be a blockbuster move for several reasons. For the Pistons, they would be adding an All-NBA big man to a lineup that sits atop the East through the first month of the season. Davis would bring championship experience to a team looking to seriously contend for a title.
For the Mavericks, trading Davis would be the next step in getting rid of the stain of the Luka Doncic trade. The team already got rid of Nico Harrison last week. Dealing Davis would signal a full-on commitment to a rebuild around Cooper Flagg.
However, fans were not buying what Perkins was trying to sell. Many ridiculed the circulating news coming from an ESPN personality more known for his controversial takes than breaking trade news.
Kendrick Perkins as a source pic.twitter.com/YabsEqHDCL
— Huggy (@DeyLuvHuggy) November 21, 2025
Please stop spreading news with invalid sources, real sources disproved this
— • (@WagwanYves) November 22, 2025
Perkins want us to think he got more sources than Shams 💀💀💀💀💀
— Laker Ace (@LakerLegend95) November 22, 2025
“Kendrick Perkins” pic.twitter.com/lISxspEJ1c
— 🌴🔥HeatCulture🌴🔥 (@Mattb_6) November 22, 2025
Whether or not the Perkins’ sources are valid, it’s hard to imagine the Pistons making such a move that could impact team chemistry on a young squad still finding its footing. A lot of Detroit’s newfound success also comes from the rise of the bruising young frontcourt duo of Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart.
Trading young assets for Davis would sacrifice future growth for an injury-prone commodity, which was exactly what angered Dallas fans in the first place when their team traded Luka for AD. Perkins himself called Davis out last month for being out of shape.