The Anthony Davis experiment in Dallas is officially over, and it ended with more questions than answers. After the Mavericks made the bold move to trade away franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic in favor of Davis, the hope was that a new era had arrived. But nearly two seasons later, that gamble never paid off-largely because Davis was rarely on the floor.
Injuries derailed any momentum he could build. In total, Davis suited up for just 29 games in a Mavericks uniform.
That lack of availability made it difficult for him to develop chemistry with the roster, and even harder for the organization to justify its long-term investment. By the time this year’s trade deadline rolled around, Dallas had seen enough.
Davis was shipped to the Washington Wizards in a move that signaled the end of a short and turbulent chapter.
Not everyone was on board with the decision.
Dirk Nowitzki, the face of the Mavericks for two decades and still a revered voice in the franchise’s orbit, didn’t hold back when asked about the trade. “There’s not a lot that came back with picks or player-wise.
I’m a little disappointed,” Nowitzki said in a recent interview. “I think AD and Cooper Flagg was a solid combo, but we’ll never know.”
That’s a strong statement from someone who knows a thing or two about what it takes to build a winner in Dallas. Dirk had already voiced his frustration when Doncic was dealt last season, and now, just a year later, he's watching another high-profile talent exit the team with little to show in return. For fans still adjusting to life without Luka, seeing Davis leave before ever truly settling in only adds to the uncertainty.
From Davis’ perspective, the move stung. According to reports, the veteran big man wasn’t looking for the exit.
He wanted to make it work in Dallas, to re-establish himself as one of the league’s premier forces and help lead a team with championship ambitions. But the Mavericks’ patience wore thin.
His talent has never been in question-when healthy, Davis remains one of the most dominant two-way players in the league-but availability matters. And in Dallas, he just couldn’t stay on the court long enough to make a lasting impact.
The timing of the trade couldn’t have been worse for Davis, either. Before he could even suit up for the Wizards, another injury setback hit. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Davis is expected to miss the remainder of the season to focus on recovery and preparation for the 2026-27 campaign.
Speaking with The Athletic’s David Aldridge, Davis opened up about where his head is at. “At this point in my career, I want to compete for a championship. Whether that’s here or elsewhere, I have no idea,” he said.
At 32, Davis is at a crossroads. His numbers this season-20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 20 appearances-still show he can impact the game at a high level. But the lingering question is whether he can stay healthy long enough to help a team make a real run.
For Dallas, the focus now shifts to the future. The franchise has moved on from two generational talents in the span of two seasons-Doncic and Davis-without a clear next step. Cooper Flagg remains a bright spot, but as Dirk alluded to, the potential of a Flagg-Davis pairing will forever be a “what if.”
And for Davis, the hope is that Washington can be a fresh start-if not the final chapter, then at least a new one with a chance to rewrite the narrative.