The NBA has a funny way of making geniuses look like fools and fools look like prophets. Right now, in early 2026, the Dallas Mavericks are feeling the "fool" side of that coin. Hard.
We need to talk about the Anthony Davis trade wish—specifically, how AD’s desire to find a new home outside of Los Angeles essentially broke the NBA’s Richter scale and why that move to Dallas is now being called the worst transaction in professional sports history.
Remember where you were in February 2025? The Lakers were desperate. The Mavericks were, apparently, even more desperate. In a move that felt like a fever dream, Dallas shipped out Luka Dončić to Los Angeles for Anthony Davis. It was supposed to be the "all-in" move for a championship. Instead, it became a cautionary tale about chasing stars while ignoring the medical report.
The Trade That Nobody Saw Coming
Honestly, the league is still shaking from it. When news broke that AD wanted out of LA, most people assumed he was heading to a contender like Boston or maybe even a return to a revamped Chicago squad. But the Lakers’ front office, led by Rob Pelinka, pulled off the unthinkable. They flipped a 32-year-old Davis for a 25-year-old Luka Dončić.
Lakers fans were doing backflips in the streets of Santa Monica. Mavericks fans? They were protesting outside the American Airlines Center.
The logic from the Mavs’ side—if you can call it that—was that Luka’s conditioning and defensive effort were never going to win a ring. They wanted the "defensive prowess" of a healthy Anthony Davis to anchor a championship-caliber roster. Nico Harrison, the former Mavs GM who was fired shortly after, bet his entire career on AD’s health. He lost.
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Why the Anthony Davis Trade Wish Went South
It didn’t take long for the wheels to fall off. In his very first game for Dallas, Davis re-aggravated an abdominal injury. He missed 18 games right out of the gate.
Since arriving in Dallas, Davis has missed 40 out of 71 possible games. That’s a staggering 56% of his tenure spent in street clothes. You can’t build a culture around a guy who is perpetually "day-to-day."
The 2026 Hand Injury Disaster
As of January 14, 2026, the situation has reached a breaking point. Davis just suffered a significant hand injury—ligament damage in his left hand while defending Lauri Markkanen in a loss to the Jazz. Initial reports suggested his season was over, but now Shams Charania is reporting he might avoid surgery and return in March.
But here’s the kicker: AD doesn't even want to be there anymore.
Word is out that there is a new Anthony Davis trade wish brewing. He’s eligible for a massive four-year, $275 million extension this summer, but Dallas is reportedly "motivated" to move him for expiring contracts. They want to clear the books. They want to build around their new hope, Cooper Flagg, who they landed with the #1 pick after the Luka-less season went into the gutter.
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The Financial Nightmare
If you’re a GM looking at AD right now, your palms are probably sweating. Not in a good way.
- 2025-26 Salary: $54.1 million
- 2026-27 Salary: $58.4 million
- 2027-28 Player Option: $62.7 million
That is a lot of money for a 32-year-old big man with "durability issues" that seem to get worse every time he jumps for a rebound. The Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks have been sniffing around, but the asking price is plummeting. A month ago, you might have gotten a young star and two picks. Today? You might be lucky to get a couple of first-rounders and some salary filler.
What Most People Get Wrong About AD’s Intentions
There’s this narrative that AD is "lazy" or "doesn't care." Kinda unfair, honestly. When he’s on the floor, he’s still a monster. He’s averaging 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds this season. The problem isn't the talent; it's the availability.
Davis himself fired back at the trade rumors recently on X, telling people to "stop listening to all these lies." But we’ve seen this movie before. Rich Paul, his agent, is a master at navigating these waters. If AD wants to be on a contender by the February deadline, he’ll find a way.
The Anthony Davis trade wish isn't just about him wanting a new city; it's about him wanting a team that can carry the load while he manages his body. In Dallas, he was expected to be "The Man." He's just not that guy anymore. He’s a legendary "1B" or "2" on a championship team, not the foundational piece you trade a generational talent like Luka for.
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The Ripple Effect Across the NBA
The fallout of the Davis-Dončić swap has completely reshaped the Western Conference. The Lakers are currently sitting near the top of the standings with Luka and an aging but still effective LeBron James. The Mavericks are 12th.
It’s a grim reminder that in the NBA, "win-now" moves can often lead to "lose-forever" outcomes. Dallas doesn't even control its own first-round picks again until 2031 (excluding the 2026 pick). They are essentially trapped in the Anthony Davis experience until they can find a suitor willing to take on that massive contract.
Actionable Insights for the Trade Deadline
If you're following the rumors, keep an eye on these three things as the deadline approaches:
- The "March Return" Narrative: If teams believe AD can actually play in the playoffs, his value stays somewhat respectable. If the hand injury lingers, Dallas might have to attach assets just to get rid of him.
- The Extension Demand: Any team trading for AD will have to decide if they're willing to pay him $60+ million a year into his mid-30s. That’s a "franchise-killer" contract if he continues to miss 40 games a year.
- The Atlanta Factor: The Hawks have been desperate for a defensive anchor. With Trae Young gone, they have the cap flexibility to take a swing, but would they really give up Zaccharie Risacher for a rental?
Basically, the Anthony Davis trade wish has become the ultimate "Buyer Beware" situation. It’s a sad chapter for one of the most talented big men to ever play, but in a league where the best ability is availability, AD is currently a luxury most teams can't afford.
Watch the injury reports closely over the next two weeks. If Davis starts "progressing" faster than expected, a trade is almost certainly coming. If he stays in a cast, expect him to be a Maverick—and a very expensive one—until at least the draft.