The Dallas Mavericks are in a bit of a funk right now, dropping three of their last four games, including a tough one against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night. But amid the recent slide, one thing is crystal clear - Anthony Davis is turning heads.
Davis was nothing short of dominant against New Orleans, posting a season-high 35 points and pulling down 17 rebounds. It was the kind of performance that reminds you exactly why he’s still one of the most impactful big men in the league when he’s locked in and healthy. Whether the Mavericks choose to keep him or move him ahead of the February 5 trade deadline, this version of Davis is a massive asset.
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room - trade talks. Davis has been at the center of those conversations for the past month, and his recent surge only adds fuel to the fire.
When a player puts up numbers like this, it doesn’t just help the team win games - it gives the front office leverage. If Dallas decides to test the market, Davis’ value is climbing at just the right time.
And here’s the thing: the Mavericks are in a position where they can’t ignore this. They could hang on to Davis and make a push in the Western Conference, sure.
But with how wide open things are across the league, especially in the East, there are teams out there that see Davis as the missing piece to a deep playoff run. That kind of demand could lead to a bidding war - exactly what Dallas wants if they’re looking to retool around their young core.
Of course, two things need to happen for this trade scenario to reach its full potential. First, Davis has to keep playing at this elite level.
Second - and just as important - he has to stay on the court. Health has always been the lingering concern with Davis, and one injury could shift everything.
But if he stays upright and continues producing like this, the Mavericks are sitting on a high-value trade chip.
Around the league, there’s a growing belief that Davis could be a true difference-maker for a playoff-caliber team. He’s not just a good player - he’s the kind of player who can tilt the balance of power in a postseason series. That’s the kind of upside that gets general managers picking up the phone.
For Dallas, that’s music to their ears. Not only could they potentially land a strong package in return, but it would also help them move on from Davis’ contract and pivot toward building around Cooper Flagg. The rookie has shown flashes, and if the Mavericks are serious about shaping their future around him, flipping Davis for assets makes a lot of sense.
And it’s not like there’s a shortage of interest. The Toronto Raptors have emerged as a potential suitor, joining the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks as teams that have reportedly shown interest earlier this month.
Toronto, in particular, is an intriguing fit. They’re hovering in the middle of the playoff picture, and adding Davis could vault them into the upper tier of the East.
Timing is everything in the NBA, and right now, the timing feels right. Davis is healthy, productive, and drawing attention.
That’s a rare combination for a player with his injury history, and Dallas may need to strike while the iron’s hot. Every game he dominates only strengthens the Mavericks’ hand in trade talks.
If Davis keeps this up - staying healthy, playing both ends of the floor at a high level, and putting up big numbers - the Mavericks could find themselves fielding offers that are simply too good to pass up. And if that happens, Cooper Flagg becomes the new face of the franchise, with a fresh supporting cast potentially on the way.
For now, all eyes are on Davis. He’s playing like an All-Star, and with the trade deadline creeping closer, his next few games might just determine the Mavericks’ direction for the rest of the season - and beyond.