About 14 months ago, Anthony Davis was at his peak in the league.
He was considered a top contender for the MVP award, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a strong second place in the Western Conference. LeBron James even remarked that it was Davis’ team.
However, since his trade to the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025, things have taken a turn for the worse. Davis has faced multiple injuries, including a torn ligament in his left hand, all while trying to secure a maximum contract extension with Dallas and other teams ahead of the 2026 trade deadline.
ESPN reports that he may require surgery, which could keep him out for several months. Yet, in a recent tweet, Davis urged people to disregard what he called “lies on apps.”
The past year has certainly altered his trajectory. It would take a confident general manager, like Nico Harrison, to offer him the deal he desires. He was on track for one until injuries limited his appearances to just 29 games with the Mavericks.
The team is reportedly still negotiating trades for him, hoping he might return in time for the playoffs to make a significant impact going forward.
Before the injury, several teams had shown interest in acquiring Davis, with Atlanta and Toronto leading the charge. However, bringing him on board no longer seems feasible for teams with veteran-heavy lineups like Golden State or the Clippers, where the focus is on long-term goals.
For Dallas, one of the aims in trading for Davis initially was to position themselves better for the 2026 NBA Draft, especially since they don’t have control over their first-round picks from 2027 to 2030.
The Mavericks are focused on building around Cooper Flagg, the top draft pick in 2025, who has certainly lived up to expectations.
Now, regardless of what Dallas decides before the trade deadline, they won’t have to worry about Davis winning games and jeopardizing their draft position.
Clearly, the Mavericks are exploring various options, interested in how a lineup featuring a healthy Davis, Kyrie Irving (coming back from an ACL tear), and Flagg will look next season.
Davis, earning $54.1 million this season and $58.5 million next season, has been recognized as a 10-time All-Star, a five-time All-NBA selection, and a five-time All-Defensive team member, leading the league in blocks three times.
