If Anthony Davis gets moved before the deadline, it won’t just be a big trade-it could be the trade that reshapes the title race.
According to league executives, Davis is the kind of player who can instantly tilt the balance of power, especially if he lands in the right situation. The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly exploring the market for the All-NBA big man, and while nothing is imminent, the buzz around a potential deal is growing louder. Teams like the Pistons, Raptors, and Hawks have been linked to Davis, and there’s a growing belief that if he ends up in the Eastern Conference-particularly with a squad that has the right mix of young talent and win-now pieces-he could turn a good team into a legit contender overnight.
Think about the ripple effect if Davis were to land in Boston, Detroit, or Atlanta. All three have the assets to make a deal work, and more importantly, they have the need for a player like AD.
A healthy Davis elevates a team’s ceiling on both ends of the floor. He’s a rare two-way anchor-someone who can give you 20 and 10 while protecting the rim and switching onto guards.
That’s not just helpful in the playoffs; that’s the kind of presence that wins playoff series.
Dallas, meanwhile, appears to be weighing its options. Along with Davis, the Mavericks are reportedly looking into potential trades involving Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson, and D’Angelo Russell. The front office shake-up following the firing of GM Nico Harrison has opened the door for big moves, and Davis is clearly at the center of it all.
Since arriving in Dallas in the blockbuster Luka Dončić deal last season, Davis has appeared in just 21 games. He’s putting up strong numbers-19.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game-but availability has once again been a concern.
A left calf injury has limited him to just 12 games this season, though when he’s on the floor, the impact is still undeniable. He’s averaging 19.6 points, 10.8 boards, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting a respectable 50.5% from the field and 33.3% from deep.
Davis remains one of the most talented big men in the league-a Top 75 player of all time with a résumé that includes an NBA title, multiple All-Star selections, and a reputation as one of the best defenders of his generation. But the clock is ticking. He’s eligible for a four-year, $275 million max extension in August, and his current contract pays him $54.1 million this season, $58.5 million next year, with a $62.8 million player option looming for 2027-28.
So, what happens next? That’s the million-dollar question.
If Davis stays in Dallas, the Mavericks will need to find a way to build around him and Dončić-assuming Luka remains part of the long-term picture. But if Davis is moved, especially to an Eastern Conference team with the right infrastructure, don’t be surprised if that team suddenly becomes the one everyone’s chasing come playoff time.
Bottom line: When Anthony Davis is healthy and locked in, he’s a game-changer. And if a contender can unlock that version of him, the title picture could get a serious shake-up.