The Luka Doncic trade continues to be an unmitigated disaster for the Dallas Mavericks.
All-Star forward Anthony Davis — the key piece the Mavericks got in return for their superstar Doncic in last February’s much-maligned deal — could miss the rest of this season after sustaining ligament damage in his left hand, according to ESPN.
If he needs surgery, he will miss the rest of the season. Even if he avoids surgery, he is expected to miss six weeks, ESPN said. Davis was injured in Thursday’s 116-114 loss at Utah.
While Davis’ absence would end, or at least severely damage, the Mavericks’ chances of climbing into the postseason — they sit in 11th place in the Western Conference at 14-24, 2.5 games out of the play-in tournament — it more importantly harms the franchise’s chances of trading him.
Dallas has been seeking to trade Davis, according to multiple reports, to stockpile assets and rebuild under Rookie of the Year favorite Cooper Flagg, one of the team’s few bright spots this season. The injury could severely limit the return the Mavericks can get for the often-sidelined Davis. He has played more than 56 games in a season only once in the past six seasons.
The 10-time All-Star is averaging 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds this season, but he has only been healthy enough to play in 20 of the team’s 38 games.
The Mavericks are 10-10 when he plays and 4-14 when he doesn’t.
Davis is making $54.1 million this season. He is owed $58.5 million next season and $62.8 million in 2027-28.
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who orchestrated the Doncic trade, was fired after the team got off to a slow start this season.
Doncic is averaging an NBA-best 33.7 points with 8.0 rebounds and 8.8 assists for the Lakers (23-12), who sit in fifth place in the West entering Friday.