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Anthony Davis injury kills potential Raptors trade
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis reacts after being fouled against the Sacramento Kings. Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Anthony Davis injury kills potential Raptors trade

Originally posted on Toronto Raptors on SI
By Jeremy Brener  |  Last updated Jan 9, 2026 5:48 PM ET

The Toronto Raptors are one of the teams to watch in the trade market, especially with Dallas Mavericks centre Anthony Davis reportedly available.

Davis' career hasn't gone according to plan with the Mavs after being acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers for Luka Doncic nearly a year ago. However, Davis recently suffered a hand injury that makes it very unlikely for him to be traded ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline.

"Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis has sustained ligament damage in his left hand, sources tell me and @BannedMacMahon. Depending on second opinion and if surgery is required, Davis could miss a number of months," ESPN insider Shams Charania tweeted.

"There is a real chance Davis -- one of the NBA's prime trade targets -- will be sidelined through the Feb. 5 NBA deadline. And possibly beyond, depending on the need for surgery."

Davis could no longer be on Raptors radar

Davis, 32, is averaging 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game for the Mavs so far this season, but he has only appeared in 20 games this year with the team. The team is 14-24, so he has missed nearly half of the Mavericks' games.

Bleacher Report writer Dan Favale listed why the Raptors would have been a good fit for the Mavericks.

"A frontline rotation that has AD, Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles is defensive dynamite, especially when RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram offer plenty of size on the perimeter," Favale wrote.

"Incorporating Davis' shaky jumper poses some offensive challenges, particularly with Quickley's shooting and playmaking headed out the door. But the Raptors are used to running half-court sets with Poeltl, another non-spacer, and IQ isn't providing nearly enough shooting and playmaking these days to be considered integral."

Davis' injury doesn't fully rule out a trade to the Mavericks, but it will only make the Raptors even more hesitant to make a trade. The team is struggling as Jakob Poeltl is on the sideline with a back injury, but swapping him out for Davis doesn't do a whole lot for the team this season.

Davis is a better fit on paper and could raise the Raptors' ceiling, but as the Mavericks have learned the hard way, it's about the type of player he is now versus who he once was. Simply put, Davis isn't healthy enough to be counted on as a top centre for a playoff contender.

Read More Toronto Raptors On SI Stories


This article first appeared on Toronto Raptors on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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