The Cleveland Cavaliers may have another veteran forward on their radar once he becomes a free agent on August 6, but the idea of a blockbuster Anthony Davis deal comes with plenty of baggage.
NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson has hinted that Davis could be headed to Cleveland if Washington cannot meet his request for a new contract extension and he tries to force his way out. Robinson also floated the possibility of a London Olympics reunion with Kevin Love and LeBron James, if those two decide to return to the Cavs. That situation is still unresolved, but it remains on the table.
On paper, Davis would give Cleveland exactly what every contender wants: a proven interior force with a smooth outside touch and championship experience. He won the NBA title with James in the bubble in 2020 as part of the Los Angeles Lakers, and his game still checks a lot of boxes. He brings size, strength, agility, ball-handling, and shooting in a way few big men can match.
He can score as a featured option around the rim, and he brings real defensive impact on the other end. Davis pressures the basket with lobs, dump-offs, and putbacks, and he has a polished post game built on hook shots, drop steps, and other low-block moves. He also has a reliable midrange jumper and polished three-point accuracy.
Last season, Davis averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game for the Dallas Mavericks before moving to Washington. For his career, he has averaged 24.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game.
But the cost would be steep. The idea of moving a 25-year-old Evan Mobley, who averaged 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game in 66 games last season, for a 33-year-old Davis is a massive swing, especially with Davis’ injury history hanging over any deal.
He joined the Wizards in February and still has not made his competitive debut because of a hand injury. He also played only 20 games for the Mavericks last season before the move to Washington.
That’s the real tension here. Mobley still has room to grow, and Cleveland already has a role for him to keep expanding into.
Davis’ résumé is loaded - 10-time All-Star, All-NBA selections, and a winner with USA Basketball - but the Cavs may be better off staying put with Mobley, even if the idea of him becoming a leader of Washington’s rebuild has some appeal. And that remains true whether James comes back or not.
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