Dallas Mavericks’ Anthony Davis Strongly Refutes ESPN Report

Davis is averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.7 blocks per game on the season. He’s appeared in 20 games and is shooting 50.6% from the field, 27.0% from 3 and 72.8% from the foul line.

The Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors were interested in trading for Davis before the hand injury, sources told DallasHoopsJournal. Davis may remain with the Mavericks for the rest of this season after his injury.

A top 75 player of all time, Davis wants to receive an extension this offseason, sources said. Dallas has yet to be in a position to give assurances on a contract extension ahead of Davis becoming eligible to sign a deal in August.

Davis is making $54.1 million this season. He’s eligible for a four-year, $275 million maximum extension in August.

Before Davis’ injury, the Mavericks hadn’t ruled out keeping the big man past the 2026 NBA trade deadline because some members of the franchise were interested in seeing the Chicago native play alongside Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, sources said.

The Mavericks, who are in 12th place in the West, have been exploring the trade markets for Davis, Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell this season, sources said. All four players have been in trade rumors ever since Nico Harrison was fired as general manager.

Davis has played for the New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers and Mavericks. He won the 2020 championship with the Lakers, who traded the veteran to the Mavericks last season in the blockbuster Luka Dončić trade.

DallasHoopsJournal senior reporter Grant Afseth contributed to this report.