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SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 08: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks holds his left hand as he reacts to pain after injuring it against Lauri Markkanen during the second half of their game at the Delta Center on January 8, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
The Toronto Raptors have been mentioned as a team that is interested in Anthony Davis. The Mavericks have been trying to canvass the league for trade partners. Davis has been a bad fit in Dallas the last couple of years. Injuries have taken their toll.
Davis has played in just 29 games over the past two seasons. That lack of availability has been one of the big reasons why they are looking to trade him. It’s clear that trading Luka Doncic for Davis did not work, and the Mavericks are ready to move on.
The Raptors have been one of the teams linked to Davis. Now, it looks like they are the favorites to land Davis before the deadline passes.
Raptors Reportedly the Favorites to Land Anthony Davis
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Toronto is the team that is having the most active trade discussions centered around Davis. Davis is hurt yet again, so it’s unclear when he will be able to take the court again. That could be why a deal is still not imminent.
The Mavericks also do not feel any pressure to deal Davis before the deadline, so this is a deal that could get done over the summer. That would allow more teams to join the fray once they get a better hand on their finances for the upcoming seasons.
Davis is an expensive star who is oft-injured. There is a risk for the Raptors to make a deal for him, especially with how well they have played this season. Toronto sits fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, so they can’t afford anyone to come in and wreck the chemistry they have built.
Bringing in Davis would make them a more dangerous offensive team. Toronto has the 10th-worst offensive team in the league. Bringing Davis in would give them a bona fide star in the post to help them get easier buckets.
The Raptors Seem to be the Team to Watch for Anthony Davis
While the Raptors seem to be the favorites for Davis, they are not the only team interested. Atlanta has been linked to Davis for a while. A few other teams could make calls, but a deal might not materialize until this summer. The market around Davis is very cool right now.
Davis could up his trade value by coming back healthy in a few weeks and finishing the season strong with Dallas. That is likely the best-case scenario for both sides. Still, the Raptors are motivated to get a deal done now so they can have Davis for the playoff push.
If Toronto doesn’t make a deal for Davis, they have to hope that Brandon Ingram continues to stay healthy so they can actually move forward and win big in the playoffs. That seems to be the best course of action for the future of the franchise.
Toronto needs ot keep their finances open for future extensions with young players if they want to win big past this season, which should be their goal.