Two teams named as Mavs look to offload Anthony Davis

As the NBA trade deadline races closer like an oncoming storm, it is the Dallas Mavericks who find themselves outside, battling the rain. Just days from the end of the trading period, their highest-profile talent has quickly become the hottest topic around the league as his future is thrown up into the turbulent air.

After acquiring Anthony Davis in a blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers last year, the franchise is now reportedly listening to trade proposals for the veteran big man amid league-wide rumblings about roster revamps and long-term plans.

“The Mavericks are taking calls for Anthony Davis going into the last three or four days before the deadline," Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Sources familiar with discussions around the Mavericks’ front office say that Dallas is actively evaluating interest in Davis, who still ranks among the game’s top forwards. However solid numbers come with a huge caveat: that he has been going through a long and recurring battle with injuries this season.

As for who may be interested, Charania was clear in his information: “I would look at Atlanta and Toronto as potential suitors if there’s a trade," he revealed, “but the Mavericks could also just wait for the offseason.”

However, shifting Davis may be harder than it seems. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon says that certain people within the Mavs would be OK with the idea of trading Davis for a return of only expiring contracts if it creates financial flexibility to build their team around Cooper Flagg.

“There are some within the organisation who would be in favour of trading Davis even if the return is only expiring contracts, simply because they value the flexibility it would give the franchise as it builds around Flagg,” MacMahon reported. “That idea would be hard to sell to Dumont, who feels no pressure to trade Davis now, sources told ESPN.”

Anthony Davis is under a lucrative contract that will see him earn $58.5 million in the 2026-27 season, with a player option worth $62.8 million for 2027-28. This structure gives him a significant degree of flexibility, as he will also be eligible to negotiate a contract extension starting August 6, whether he remains with the Mavericks or joins a new team via trade.

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