Mavericks' Anthony Davis trade decision shocks Warriors, Hawks
NBA insider Chris Haynes said on SiriusXM that the Dallas Mavericks expect to move Anthony Davis before the trade deadline, a development that has league executives and rival teams paying close attention. Davis, 32, has struggled with availability since arriving in Dallas, plagued this season by a string of muscle injuries including right adductor soreness and a groin strain. He has played just 16 of 34 games and hasn’t appeared in more than five consecutive contests since the trade that brought him to Dallas, leaving the Mavericks’ plans in flux as they sit 12-22. The uncertainty around Davis’ ability to stay on the floor has prompted public voices like Charles Barkley to suggest the Mavericks should consider moving on and hand the reins to younger players on the roster.
Despite the injury history, Davis remains productive when healthy, averaging 20.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 blocks per game this season. That combination of star production and defensive impact is why sources named the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks as the leading suitors in the current trade window. For Golden State, Davis would address clear needs protecting the rim and improving rebounding, fitting alongside their shooters and playmakers. For Atlanta, Davis would provide the interior defense and size the Hawks lack; team defensive rating has been a concern, and adding a proven rim protector could materially alter their profile.
Speculation about potential packages is already swirling. On Atlanta’s side, Evan Sidery reported the Hawks could include their 2025 first-round pick Asa Newell and combine players such as Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kennard to match salaries. Zacharie Risacher’s name has also come up in earlier conversations. For Golden State, conversations have touched on more complex scenarios involving roster pieces like Jonathan Kuminga, or larger shakeups if the Warriors were willing to move established contributors, though the Mavericks’ willingness to accept specific offers remains uncertain. The Mavs’ front office faces a difficult calculation: trading a high-ceiling but frequently injured All-Star for younger assets and depth, or holding onto Davis in hopes health and chemistry improve.
With the deadline approaching, Dallas appears increasingly open to making a move, and Haynes’ report has only intensified the chatter. The coming weeks will test how aggressively suitors pursue Davis and what value the Mavericks can extract given the accompanying availability concerns. Whether Dallas decides to press the reset button or give Davis more time to settle in will be a defining decision for the franchise’s short-term trajectory.
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