Dallas Mavericks Insider Expects Anthony Davis To Be Traded

Dallas Mavericks insider Tim MacMahon of ESPN expects NBA star Anthony Davis to be traded.

The Mavericks are open to exploring the trade markets for Davis, Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell, sources told DallasHoopsJournal at the beginning of December.

“The Mavericks are telling people, ‘Oh, we still might extend him this summer.’ Like if you do that, that’s not gonna be good business for the Mavericks,” MacMahon said. “I’m being told that and I don’t believe that. I’ll put it like that. … I think it’s a matter of when and not if Anthony Davis is traded. I just don’t know when. … And again, I don’t anticipate it’s gonna be like three first-round picks.”

Davis is eligible for a four-year, $275 million maximum extension in August. The former Los Angeles Lakers big man is making $54.1 million this season. He’ll make $58.5 million next season and has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season.

A future Hall of Famer, Davis has played in only 20 games with the Mavericks since the blockbuster Luka Dončić trade last season. AD is averaging 20.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.9 blocks per game in a Dallas uniform.

Davis, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, has been linked to the Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors in trade rumors.

A top 75 player of all time, Davis has appeared in just 11 games this season because of a left calf injury. He’s averaging 20.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocks per game.

Teams interested in trading for Davis hope he loses weight, sources said. Teams linked to Davis think the Kentucky product needs to lose weight so he can be the mobile threat he usually is.

Davis has career averages of 24.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks per game. He has played for the New Orleans Pelicans, Lakers and Mavericks.

Davis won the 2020 championship with Los Angeles at the Walt Disney World bubble.