The Atlanta Hawks are doing their homework - and not just the surface-level kind - on Anthony Davis. According to league sources, the Hawks have kicked the tires on what it might take to land the Dallas Mavericks star big man. While talks haven’t moved past the exploratory stage, the fact that Davis is even on Atlanta’s radar is worth paying attention to, especially given how the landscape is shifting around both franchises.
Davis, now 32, remains a force on both ends of the floor. Just this week, he reminded everyone exactly why he’s still considered one of the league’s elite bigs.
He dropped 35 points and 17 boards against the Pelicans, then followed that up with 31 and 9 against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets - not exactly light competition. When he's healthy, Davis still tilts the floor, and that kind of presence doesn’t come cheap.
But that’s where things get complicated.
Dallas is walking a tightrope between the present and the future. On one hand, Davis has been delivering in the short term, anchoring the frontcourt and giving the Mavericks a defensive backbone they’ve lacked in recent years.
On the other, the franchise is increasingly building around Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick whose rapid development has been one of the season’s most intriguing storylines. That dual timeline makes any decision involving Davis a delicate one.
And then there’s the money. Davis is on the books for $54.1 million this season, with $58.5 million coming next year and a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.
He’s also eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension next August. That’s a massive financial commitment - one that any team, including Atlanta, would have to be fully prepared to take on.
Plus, he’s represented by Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, which always adds a layer of negotiation savvy to the mix.
For the Hawks, interest in Davis feels more like a temperature check than a full-on pursuit. League insiders suggest Atlanta isn’t ready to part with significant assets or absorb that kind of contract without serious consideration. The Hawks already have questions in their frontcourt, and Davis’ injury history doesn’t exactly ease those concerns.
There’s also the Kristaps Porzingis factor. While Porzingis hasn’t been directly linked to this situation, his own injury track record serves as a cautionary tale. Internally, the Hawks have reportedly discussed the idea of pairing another frontcourt piece with Onyeka Okongwu, but the sense around the league is that they’d prefer a more modest upgrade - not a blockbuster that reshapes the roster and cap sheet.
Atlanta isn’t the only team poking around. The Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls have also reportedly inquired about Davis, but with a similar approach - they’re seeing if there’s a bargain to be had.
According to league chatter, those teams are hoping to land Davis at a discount. The problem?
Dallas isn’t playing that game.
The Mavericks paid a steep price to acquire Davis in the blockbuster deal that sent Luka Doncic out the door, and they’re not about to sell low. Unless an offer comes in that reflects Davis’ value as one of the league’s premier two-way players - and his contract - Dallas is standing pat.
At the end of the day, this feels like a classic case of teams testing the waters. Davis is still producing at a high level, but the cost - both in assets and dollars - is steep.
For Atlanta and others, the question isn’t whether Davis can help. It’s whether the risk is worth the reward.
And right now, the answer seems to be: only if the price is right.