These NBA teams could rescue Anthony Davis from Mavericks’ post-Doncic fiasco

Living without Luka Doncic is not easy. It may seem like a simple statement to make, but Dallas chose to test the waters with the shocking trade of the Slovenian superstar to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 2. In return, the Mavericks received Anthony Davis, rookie Max Christie, and a first-round pick.

Nico Harrison, the architect of the deal, insisted the trade was necessary to win only the second championship in franchise history. “Defense wins championships,” he said. The logic was clear: if Davis is stronger on defense than Doncic, success would follow. But the plan failed, Harrison has been fired and the Mavericks are navigating a season with an uncertain future.

A tough season in Texas

Dallas sits 11th in the Western Conference with a 9-16 record, despite having Cooper Flagg, the most recent No. 1 overall draft pick. The Mavericks are only half a game from the play-in tournament, but a direct playoff berth feels distant, six and a half games away. The Oklahoma City Thunder, the conference leader, are 14.5 games ahead.

Kyrie Irving’s left knee ACL injury in March hasn’t helped the team’s instability. With a roster labeled “for sale,” the Mavericks are listening to offers for Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, D’Angelo Russell, and Davis, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Decisions ahead for Davis

Interim co-general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi told Rich Paul, Davis’ agent, that the franchise is open to trade or contract extension, depending on the team’s results.

If the team improves, Davis’ continuation in Dallas is possible. The forward, who will turn 33 in March, could sign a four-year, $275 million extension in August. The deal would start paying in 2027 and run through his age-38 season, topping out at $76 million annually. It would be a risky commitment to a player with recurring injuries who is not performing at the level he did in 2020, when he was instrumental in the Lakers’ championship run.

East contenders ready to strike

If the Mavericks pull the trigger, the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, and Atlanta Hawks are watching closely. The Eastern Conference has no clear powerhouse, and these teams believe adding a player of Davis’ caliber could accelerate their path to contention. Detroit, in particular, is leading the conference with 19 wins in 24 games, two ahead of the New York Knicks.

Trading Davis would signal a full rebuild for Dallas. The 2026 draft is the last they control until 2031 due to prior trades.

A deal involving Davis, along with Thompson, Russell, or Gafford, could allow the Mavericks to acquire valuable draft picks and young talent to surround Flagg, who is seen as the cornerstone of the franchise’s future.

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