Basketball trades are a gamble. You've heard that before. But the Anthony Davis Dallas Mavericks saga is a different kind of beast entirely. We aren't just talking about a "bad fit" or a missed chemistry connection here. We're looking at what is arguably the most scrutinized, debated, and frankly, polarizing transaction in modern NBA history.
It was February 2025. Nico Harrison, the then-GM of the Mavericks, did the unthinkable. He traded away Luka Dončić, a generational, MVP-caliber talent in his mid-20s, to the Los Angeles Lakers. In return? He got Anthony Davis.
The logic was simple, if terrifyingly bold. Harrison wanted defense. He wanted a rim protector who could also drop 25 points. He believed pairing Kyrie Irving with AD would create a balanced, championship-level core. Fast forward to January 2026, and the vibe in Dallas is... well, it's pretty grim.
The Reality of the Anthony Davis Era in Dallas
If you look at the box scores, you might think it's fine. Honestly, when he's on the floor, he’s still that guy. Since landing in Dallas, Davis has averaged about 20.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. Those are All-Star numbers. But the "when he's on the floor" part is the kicker.
The availability has been a nightmare. Since the trade, AD has only suited up for 29 out of a possible 73 regular-season games for the Mavs. That is not a typo. It's basically a part-time job at this point.
The latest blow? A hand injury on January 8, 2026, against the Utah Jazz. It happened late in the game after a collision with Lauri Markkanen. Now, we’re looking at ligament damage. While the team is hoping he’ll "heal" in about six weeks without surgery, the timing couldn't be worse. The February 5 trade deadline is looming like a dark cloud over the American Airlines Center.
Why the Mavs are Stuck in Trade Limbo
Rich Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports and AD’s agent, isn't exactly hiding his feelings. Reports from insiders like Tim MacMahon suggest Paul is pushing for a trade before the deadline. Why? Because the Mavericks are giving him the "we’ll see" treatment regarding a massive four-year, $275 million extension.
In the NBA, a "we’ll see" is basically a "no."
But here is the problem: Anthony Davis Dallas Mavericks trade value is at an all-time low. NBA executives are looking at a 32-year-old big man (turning 33 in March) who is currently injured and wants a quarter-billion-dollar extension. That’s a tough sell.
The Suitors and the Roadblocks
- The Atlanta Hawks: They were the frontrunners for a while. The idea of pairing AD with Trae Young was juicy. But with the Hawks moving on from Trae and AD’s latest injury, that smoke has mostly cleared.
- The Toronto Raptors: This is the name popping up lately. They have the contracts to make it work—think Jakob Poeltl or RJ Barrett—but Dallas wants draft picks. They need assets to build around their new hope, rookie sensation Cooper Flagg.
- The Golden State Warriors: Always the "sexy" name in trade rumors. However, unless the Warriors are willing to part with serious young talent or multiple picks, it’s hard to see the math working, especially since they won’t move Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler.
The Cooper Flagg Factor
The Mavericks aren't the same team that traded for Davis a year ago. Everything changed when they landed the #1 pick in the 2025 draft and selected Cooper Flagg.
Suddenly, the timeline shifted. You don't build around a 33-year-old on a declining health curve when you have an 18-year-old phenom who looks like the future of the league. The Mavs are currently 16–26. They are in the Cooper Flagg era now, and Anthony Davis feels like a relic from a previous, failed experiment.
The front office is in a transition phase. Nico Harrison is gone. The new leadership doesn't feel the same "loyalty" to the Davis trade because they weren't the ones who sacrificed Luka for it. They want flexibility. They want young players who fit Flagg’s timeline.
Is There a Way Out?
Honestly, the Mavs are in a corner. They don't have to trade him by February 5. They could wait until the summer. But keeping an unhappy, injured superstar who wants a trade isn't exactly a recipe for a healthy locker room.
If they do move him, don't expect a haul of All-Stars. The most realistic scenario involves "salary dumping"—taking back expiring contracts and maybe a couple of protected first-rounders. It’s a massive "L" compared to what they gave up (Luka), but in the NBA, sometimes you just have to cut your losses and move on.
What This Means for Your Mavs Fandom
If you’re a Mavs fan, the next few weeks are going to be stressful. You’re watching the final days of the Anthony Davis Dallas Mavericks partnership, and it’s ending with a whimper instead of a bang.
Here is what you should watch for:
- Medical Updates: If AD starts showing he can return sooner than six weeks, his trade value might tick up just enough for a contender to bite.
- The "Price Drop": Watch for reports that Dallas is willing to take on "bad" expiring money. That’s the signal they are ready to just move on.
- Kyrie’s Future: If AD goes, does Kyrie Irving want to stay for a total rebuild around Flagg? That’s the next domino.
The experiment failed. It happens. But for Dallas, the focus has to be 100% on the future. That means clearing the books, getting assets, and making sure Cooper Flagg has the environment he needs to become the superstar everyone expects.
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Keep a close eye on the Toronto rumors as we get within 48 hours of the deadline. If a deal happens, that’s likely where the pieces will fall. For now, it’s a waiting game in Big D.
Actionable Insights for Following the Deadline:
- Monitor the "Stein Line" and Shams Charania: These are the primary sources for AD-specific leaks in 2026; disregard "aggregate" accounts that lack direct sourcing.
- Watch the Minutes of Daniel Gafford: If the Mavs start ramping up Gafford’s usage, it’s a sign they are preparing for life after Davis.
- Check the 2026 Draft Order: Since Dallas controls its pick this year, every loss increases the chances of another high-lottery talent to pair with Flagg, making an AD "salary dump" more palatable for the front office.