The Dallas Mavericks are unlikely to receive the package they want for Anthony Davis, according to Christian Clark of The Athletic. Teams are hesitant due to Davis’ age, injury history, and expected desire for a lucrative contract extension this summer.
Davis, 32, is averaging 20.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists over 18 games this season. Despite his production, executives indicate that acquiring a combination of young talent, expiring contracts, and draft assets to help Dallas rebuild around No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg is a major hurdle.
Dallas currently sits 11th in the Western Conference at 13-23 while carrying the fourth-highest payroll in the NBA. The team’s performance and financial commitments make a blockbuster trade for Davis more complicated, limiting their flexibility to reshape the roster immediately.
The Mavericks have explored a potential deal with the Atlanta Hawks, who are reportedly open to trading Trae Young. Discussions included sending Davis to Atlanta, but Dallas has no interest in acquiring Young and intends to keep Kyrie Irving as their starting point guard.
Young, 27, is in the fourth year of a four-year, $215 million contract with a player option for 2026-27. He is averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists in 10 games, but moving him would push Atlanta significantly over the luxury tax, reducing their ability to make a major roster upgrade.
Atlanta currently relies on Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu for scoring and rebounding. Johnson leads the team with 23.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, while Alexander-Walker averages 20.6 points, giving the Hawks some flexibility but limiting their willingness to part with top talent.
For the Mavericks, trading Davis remains a challenge. While moving the veteran could create cap space and allow Irving to lead alongside younger contributors like Cooper Flagg, the lack of teams willing to meet Dallas’ demands for talent and draft capital leaves the front office with limited options.
Financial realities and Davis’ contract situation mean Dallas may need to temper expectations at the trade deadline. Any potential deal will likely be smaller in scale, focusing on incremental pieces rather than the transformative package required to reorient around the team’s young core.
