The Dallas Mavericks are exploring a trade to send Anthony Davis to the Atlanta Hawks, according to Tim MacMahon on The Hoop Collective podcast on Monday, December 29. MacMahon confirmed Trae Young would not be included, as Dallas intends to keep Kyrie Irving as their starting point guard.
Tim Bontemps noted that a trade involving Young would push Atlanta far over the NBA’s second luxury tax apron in 2026-27, a financial step the Hawks are unlikely to take. MacMahon added that Young will likely pick up his $48.9 million player option for 2026-27 due to limited trade options.
Davis, 32, is in the first year of a three-year, $175 million contract with a player option for the final season. He is averaging 20.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists across 16 games this season.
Atlanta, currently 10th in the Eastern Conference at 15-18, would gain a veteran forward to bolster a roster led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker (20.3 points), Onyeka Okongwu (16.1 points, 7.6 rebounds), and Jalen Johnson (23.7 points, 10.4 rebounds). Young, limited to 10 games, is producing 19.3 points and 8.9 assists per contest.
For Dallas, sitting 12th in the Western Conference at 12-21, trading Davis could free cap space and allow Irving to run the offense alongside young contributors like Cooper Flagg (19.5 points) and P.J. Washington (15.7 points, 7.9 rebounds). Klay Thompson adds 11.1 points per game in 22.1 minutes, providing veteran depth.
Atlanta has depth in players such as Dyson Daniels, Vit Krejci, and Mouhamed Gueye, which could accommodate Davis’ contract, but the exclusion of Young limits the trade’s flexibility.
