Anthony Davis’ Injury Complicates Trade Scenarios for the Mavs

Anthony Davis has emerged as a key figure on the NBA trade market after Trae Young’s transfer to the Washington Wizards. Unfortunately, Davis is now out indefinitely due to a ligament injury in his left hand. The Mavs recently lost to the Utah Jazz, and it appears he might require surgery, which would likely sideline him past the February 5 trade deadline—essentially removing him from trade discussions.

This setback is tough for Davis, particularly as he was beginning to hit his stride this season. It’s also, I think, something we might have seen coming. Throughout his career, Davis has been known for his frequent injuries. It’s always a balancing act; his impressive contract—he’s set to earn $58.4 million next year and has a $62.7 million player option for 2026-27—might complicate his trade appeal, especially given his injury history. Plus, he’ll turn 33 in March.

However, this injury might not be as detrimental in the long run compared to those affecting his lower body. While Mavs fans might be unhappy to see him out of the lineup ahead of a possible trade, I think this could actually work in Dallas’ favor for several reasons.

Davis’ Trade Value in Question

So, could the Mavs still snag a first-round pick in exchange for Davis? That’s a big question. I’m a bit skeptical about that. The most discussed trade involved the Atlanta Hawks, focusing on Kristaps Porzingis and Zachary Lizacher. This plan would have helped clear up Dallas’ financial commitments, given that Porzingis is on an expiring contract. However, I don’t believe it would have significantly impacted their long-term roster strategy. Lizacher, the top pick from 2024, hasn’t been impressive this season and ranks fairly low among players, which is surprising considering he went first overall.

In any case, the Mavs didn’t seem to have many attractive trade options, and this injury shouldn’t financially harm them too severely.

Opportunity to Compete for the 2026 NBA Draft

Dallas really needs to secure a first-round pick in 2026. Currently, they can’t claim their first-round picks for 2027 (top two protected to Charlotte), 2028 (traded to OKC), 2029 (traded to Houston), or 2030 (traded to San Antonio). This situation arose because of their attempts to build around Luka Doncic, but it now limits their ability to effectively strengthen the team around Flagg.

Now, the Mavs haven’t historically benefitted from outright tanking. You often see luck favor teams that have endured misfortune, like during the 2025 lottery. Dallas had a shot at the top pick after trading Doncic, especially when the Spurs moved up thanks to Victor Wembanyama’s injury. The absence of Davis might push the Mavs toward losing more games, improving their lottery odds despite the way things have unfolded. It seems the ownership group, who didn’t prevent the Doncic trade, is reluctant to engage in a tanking strategy and now finds themselves in a tough spot.

Nonetheless, even with all the injuries, Davis can still be impactful, and losing him could significantly affect Dallas’ performance on the court.

If the Mavs had worked out a trade for Davis, they might have received players who could contribute to winning games, particularly when Porzingis was healthy. Keeping Davis would have potentially led them to the play-in tournament. This injury certainly boosts Dallas’ chances in the lottery more than any other possible outcome. Mavs fans might want to keep an eye on my latest mock draft.

Looking Ahead with Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg

Kyrie Irving is expected to make a full recovery from his torn ACL, which kept him sidelined for the season. Flagg is progressing into his second year and is anticipated to improve significantly. Davis’ injury doesn’t seem to have long-lasting effects, and the Mavs might welcome a rookie pick from the top 10 in the draft—hopefully even in the top three.

However, the Mavs need to tread carefully as Charlotte likely holds their pick next season. They can’t afford to tank for three consecutive years. Their best strategy might involve aiming for success in the lottery while tweaking their roster to see what Davis and Irving can achieve alongside Flagg and another rookie. For this to work, they’ll need players like AJ Divanza, Cameron Boozer, or Darrin Peterson to step up, which is often the case in team-building. Luck is a major factor in the NBA; it took considerable fortune for the Mavs to land their previous success, and they’ll need that luck again to construct a competitive team moving forward.

Davis’ contract runs for two more years after this one. He remains an elite talent when healthy. Flagg shows immense potential, and players like Boozer, Peterson, and Divanza could also shine. If everything aligns perfectly, Dallas could shape up to be an intriguing team next season. It’s genuinely unfortunate to witness a talented player like Davis face a significant injury, but this scenario might ultimately benefit Dallas in the long run.