The Dallas Mavericks are actively discussing potential trades involving Anthony Davis with the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday.
“For all intents and purposes, meaningful basketball in Dallas for Davis this season is essentially over because of the time he’s gonna miss with injury,” Charania said on NBA Countdown. “This is the last year they control their first-round pick until 2031, so jockeying will be a big word for the Mavericks’ second half of the season.”
Davis, 32, is sidelined with a hand injury and will not return until at least the end of February. The forward has opted against surgery, leaving his trade value and playing timeline uncertain.
“The cost is most certainly going to be lower for the Mavs than it was even a month ago when the Mavs were hedging that Davis would rack up games and improve his value,” Charania explained. “The groin injury in late December and now this more serious hand injury changed the calculus.”
Rich Paul, Davis’ agent, has reportedly encouraged Dallas to pursue a trade before the February 5 deadline. Sources told Tim MacMahon on the Hoop Collective Podcast that Paul is motivated by contract considerations, as Davis seeks a long-term extension this offseason.
The Mavericks are weighing multiple options, including trading Davis for draft assets and young talent or keeping him to compete alongside Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg. “Are we content with potentially expiring contracts and cleaning out our salary books, getting rid of Anthony Davis’ contract, maybe getting a draft pick and fully rebuilding around Cooper Flagg?” Charania said.
Dallas currently sits 12th in the Western Conference with a 15-25 record, 18.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. Cooper Flagg leads the team with 19.1 points per game, while Davis averages 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists over 20 games.
The Hawks recently traded Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, giving them additional flexibility in trade discussions. The Raptors, sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference at 25-17, are also exploring options to add veteran talent for a playoff push.
Mavericks management has emphasized they will not make a trade unless it meets their threshold for draft compensation, young talent, and financial flexibility. Sources indicated the front office views the February deadline as a flexible window, with Davis potentially remaining on the roster if no suitable deal materializes.
