Mavericks Facing Anthony Davis Decision After 13th Loss

On Monday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst added perspective to the growing conversation, outlining what he believes would be the Mavericks’ best-case scenario in any potential deal.

“If you're the Mavericks, a good [Anthony Davis] trade provides some significant financial relief next year,” Windhorst said on “The Hoop Collective” podcast.

“That's what you're talking about, expiring contracts, and something that can be of value moving forward in the Coupa Flag [Cooper Flagg} era, preferably multiple picks. That's probably going to be tough, picking a swap, and at least a young player who, you know, you can see as a rotation player for long term. That to me is the ideal Anthony Davis deal, and it's not going to be something that excites people, but that's the kind of business the Mavericks will be, I believe, looking to do.”

Davis’ availability has been a major issue again this season. He has already missed 13 games this season while managing a left calf strain, averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists when on the court. Last season, his Mavericks debut showed his potential impact — 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in 31 minutes.

However, he exited the game in the third quarter with an adductor strain that limited him to just nine regular-season games with the franchise. His résumé still speaks for itself: an NBA champion, a 10-time All-Star and one of the league’s most dominant two-way bigs when healthy.

Whether the Mavericks actually move him remains unknown. But with Cooper Flagg emerging and Davis’s health still uncertain, the franchise faces significant decisions about its future direction.