🤯 Disaster Looms: Rival Teams Expect Mavericks to Shop Anthony Davis at Deadline
The Dallas Mavericks' tumultuous season, following the controversial trade of Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis and the subsequent firing of GM Nico Harrison, is hurtling toward a major pivot point. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, rival teams are already bracing for the Mavericks to explore an Anthony Davis trade before the February 5 deadline.
While Dallas has not publicly signaled a change of course, the expectation around the league is that Davis—the centerpiece of last season's blockbuster deal—will be made available as the new front office evaluates the wreckage of the franchise's post-Dončić era.
💰 A Superstar with Major Liabilities
The decision to trade Davis, a 10-time All-Star, is complicated by the very factors that have plagued his short tenure in Dallas: injuries and contract.
Injury Trouble: Davis, 32, is currently sidelined with a left calf strain, missing his ninth straight game and ruled out for at least another week. Since the trade, he has appeared in just 14 games for the Mavericks. His lack of availability directly undercuts the team's ability to compete and dramatically limits his trade appeal.
The Contract Albatross: Davis is only in the first year of a massive contract, earning $54.1 million this season and owed over $121 million through the 2026-27 season (with a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28). Any trade partner must be willing to take on this significant salary and the accompanying injury risk.
Conditioning Concerns: Further complicating his market is his conditioning. League sources told Dallas Hoops Journal that Davis reported to camp at 268 pounds, approximately 15 pounds heavier than his final listed weight with the Lakers. Interested teams are reportedly demanding to see him drop weight to regain his "usual mobility" before committing significant assets.
The consensus is clear: Davis has to put together a sustained stretch of productive, healthy basketball in December and January to generate the kind of offers the Mavericks would hope for. Failure to do so means Dallas will be forced to trade him at his lowest value, further deepening the loss from the original Dončić trade.
🔄 Daniel Gafford: The Practical Trade Chip
As the front office looks to recoup value, the most likely and easily movable trade piece is center Daniel Gafford.
Tradeability: Gafford, earning a manageable $14.4 million this season in the first year of a three-year, $54.4 million extension, is viewed as one of the few contracts on the roster that is easy to move. His efficiency as a rim-runner and shot-blocker makes him highly attractive to contenders.
Complication: Ironically, the constant injuries to both Davis and young center Dereck Lively II complicate Gafford's potential move. Trading their most reliable big man while Davis is unavailable would completely destabilize the frontcourt and could lead to a disastrous run of form for the team.
With Harrison, the architect of the Davis trade, now gone, the Mavericks are expected to conduct a full review of their roster. The February deadline is looming, and the decision on Anthony Davis will determine whether the franchise accelerates into a full rebuild centered on the future (and Cooper Flagg) or attempts one final, desperate swing at contention.
Would you like to search for the Dallas Mavericks' current win-loss record as of today's date?
Comments
Post a Comment