Anthony Davis Trade Buzz Heats Up-But So Do the Injury Concerns
Anthony Davis is once again at the center of NBA trade rumors, and despite a recent hand injury, teams are still circling. The Dallas Mavericks big man has drawn interest from multiple franchises, including the Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks, even as he recovers from a left-hand ligament injury expected to keep him sidelined until March.
But here’s the thing-Davis’ availability has been anything but reliable since his arrival in Dallas last February. In less than a full calendar year, he’s appeared in just 29 games.
Every time it looks like he’s finding a rhythm, injuries seem to derail the momentum. From an adductor strain to a detached retina, a calf issue, and now the hand injury, Davis’ time in Dallas has been defined more by rehab reports than box scores.
That’s been a tough pill to swallow for a Mavericks team that’s struggled to stay in the playoff mix. If the current trajectory holds, this would be the third time in four seasons that Dallas misses the postseason. And while Davis isn’t the only Maverick battling injuries-Kyrie Irving’s torn ACL has been a major blow-Davis’ continued absence has made him one of the least dependable stars on the roster.
A Gamble Teams Are Still Willing to Make
Despite the injury history, the trade market for Davis hasn’t gone cold. In fact, the chatter intensified after his latest setback.
Davis opted against surgery on his hand, which keeps the door open for a return in March. That timing is key.
A healthy Anthony Davis heading into the postseason is still a tantalizing prospect for front offices looking to make a push in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
And that’s the bet teams are making: that Davis can get right, stay right, and tilt a playoff series. It’s the classic high-risk, high-reward move.
At nearly 33 years old, Davis represents a win-now piece, not a long-term investment. If you're a team on the playoff bubble or a contender looking for a frontcourt boost, the upside is obvious-when healthy, Davis remains one of the most dominant big men in the game.
But that’s the caveat: when healthy.
The Mavericks' Frustration Is Real
Davis hasn’t played more than five consecutive games since joining the Mavericks, and that stat alone tells the story. Dallas fans have watched the promise of his talent get repeatedly undercut by the harsh reality of his durability.
It’s hard not to contrast that with Luka Dončić, now thriving with the Los Angeles Lakers. While Dončić is putting up MVP-level numbers in purple and gold, the Mavericks are left wondering what could’ve been.
Internally, the Mavericks have been exploring trade options since November, when former GM Nico Harrison was let go. And while Davis’ trade value has taken a hit due to his latest injuries, the fact that teams are still calling speaks volumes about how he’s viewed league-wide. Even a diminished Davis has the kind of two-way impact that can swing a playoff series-if he’s on the floor.
A Risk Worth Taking?
For the Mavericks, Davis’ decision to forgo surgery might’ve been a blessing in disguise. Had he opted for a season-ending procedure, his trade market likely would’ve vanished. But with a potential March return on the table, interested teams now see a window-albeit a narrow one-to integrate him before the postseason.
Still, any team looking to acquire Davis needs to go in with eyes wide open. The talent is undeniable.
He’s a 10-time All-Star for a reason. But the injury track record is extensive, and history suggests that availability will always be a question mark.
In the NBA, the playoffs are about timing-being healthy, peaking at the right moment, and having the right mix of talent and chemistry. Davis can check those boxes on paper. Whether he can do it in practice remains the million-dollar question.