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Mavericks Predicted to Trade Anthony Davis

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 2:11 PM ET

The Dallas Mavericks shocked the NBA world when they traded star Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis. Davis will now front-line this Mavericks team, especially with star guard Kyrie Irving expected to miss the majority of the NBA season.

But long-term, the fit of Davis with Dallas is questionable. Since the Mavericks will likely be drafting Duke star Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, the need to keep Davis around is interesting.

Flagg will be the face of the franchise going forward, and Davis may not be on the same timeline. Davis does bring excellent defense to the table, but the Mavericks may be better off trading him for more assets.

According to Dan Favale of Bleacher Report, the Mavericks could look to move him. Favale is predicting that Davis will be on a different team when next season concludes.

"Anthony Davis fits the "Defense over everything" ideology revered by Dallas Mavericks president of basketball operations Nico Harrison. He no longer fits the long-term direction of the organization....The Mavs may not care to admit it just yet, but Flagg and their surrounding circumstances have thrust them into a different timeline—one that no longer jibes with the 32-year-old Davis' own," Favale wrote.

Davis is still one of the better big men in the NBA, but he is getting up there in age. Additionally, he has seen some major injury problems throughout his career, and Dallas may not be able to afford that fact.

By moving him, Dallas could get more players who fit the timeline of Flagg. Davis could net the Mavericks multiple draft picks, and Dallas would be set up very well down the line.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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