Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks
Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are expected to push ahead with trying to find a viable trade package for Anthony Davis. The veteran big man has struggled to remain healthy since being traded to the franchise last season.
However, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Davis’ injury prognosis hasn’t changed their mind on seeking out a trade package.
“Fascinating development: The Mavericks are having renewed Davis trade talks with multiple interested teams, sources said,” Charania said. “If moved to a playoff contender, the return timeline could allow Davis to return during the postseason while establishing himself for the long-term elsewhere.”
Multiple fringe contenders could potentially talk themselves into a move for Davis. A projected return in the postseason would be enticing. Of course, being back in a rotation for the first or second round of the playoffs would be ideal. He’s a proven difference-maker when healthy, especially when paired with the right supporting cast.
However, by trading Davis when he’s injured, the Mavericks will likely need to accept that their return for the All-Star big man will be significantly lower than what they shelled out to bring him to Texas in 2025.
Mavericks’ Davis Expected To Miss The Season
Dallas’ negotiating stance will likely be hit by the news that Davis is expected to undergo surgery on his injured left wrist. According to Charania, he could be out for the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season.
“Dallas Mavericks’ Anthony Davis is likely to undergo surgery to repair ligament damage in his left hand and miss several months, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote. “His Dallas season is essentially over, given the prognosis and the Mavs’ direction.”
Since moving to Dallas, Davis has suited up for 29 games. He hasn’t had the opportunity to prove himself within the current rotation and has shown little sign of putting his injury history behind him. Therefore, it makes sense that Dallas is looking to end their failed experiment.
Still, finding a trade partner willing to absorb Davis’ three-year $175 million contract won’t be easy. Regardless of what he brings to the floor when healthy, that is a sizeable salary to add to a cap sheet. Of course, there will likely be at least one team that can talk itself into a move.
Davis Pushes Back on Charania’s Report
Shortly after Charania reported on Davis’ injury and the Mavericks’ willingness to continue seeking out a trade, Davis took to social media to provide some pushback.
“Yall better stop listening to all these lies on these apps!,” Davis wrote.
The post was Davis’s first since June of 2025. Clearly, the noise coming from social media had grown enough for him to feel the need to address it personally.
Anthony Davis
Yall better stop listening to all these lies on these apps!
Of course, we won’t know whether the Mavericks are sounding out potential trade candidates unless a deal is made ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Until then, all we can do is rely on the reporting.
Still, it makes sense for Dallas to at least explore trading Davis, and the market he has. After all, if his growing list of injuries isn’t doing much to dispel the concerns surrounding him.