With the NBA trade deadline just over 50 days away, the buzz around Anthony Davis is surprisingly quiet - and that's telling. The Dallas Mavericks are open to listening, but they’re not in a rush to move their star big man. Right now, it’s less about shopping him and more about evaluating the market, which, frankly, hasn’t materialized the way some might’ve expected.
According to league reports, there just isn’t much traction on the Davis front at this point in the trade season. That’s not to say Dallas won’t eventually make a move, but as things stand, the likelihood of Davis still wearing a Mavericks jersey past the deadline is growing stronger by the day.
A big part of the hesitation across the league? Health.
Davis missed his 16th game of the season last night, this time due to a left calf contusion. And while some absences can be chalked up to load management or cautious rest, this one raises more questions than it answers.
Late in the fourth quarter against Brooklyn, Davis collided with teammate Max Christie and immediately showed signs of discomfort in his right leg. He did stay in the game and contested a shot at the rim, but the moment didn’t go unnoticed.
His status for Thursday night’s matchup against the Pistons could be a key indicator of how serious this latest issue really is. Every game he misses chips away at his trade value - not because of his talent, which is undeniable, but because of the uncertainty that surrounds his availability.
And that’s the crux of the problem for teams that might be interested. Davis, when healthy, is still a dominant force.
He’s a defensive anchor, a matchup nightmare in the paint, and a guy who can tilt the floor on both ends. But no team wants to give up significant assets - draft picks, young players, rotation pieces - for a player they aren’t sure will be on the court when it matters most.
For Mavericks fans hoping for a blockbuster return, this isn’t the news they wanted. A robust market could’ve sparked a bidding war, driving up Davis’ value and giving Dallas more leverage.
But right now, that war isn’t happening. Interest is lukewarm, and the list of potential suitors is short.
The two teams reportedly showing the most interest are the Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks. On paper, both squads have the kind of assets that could make a deal interesting.
But according to league chatter, Atlanta, in particular, may not have the pieces to put together a package that truly tempts Dallas. And that’s a sticking point.
The Mavericks aren’t just going to move Davis for the sake of making a deal. Team governor Patrick Dumont knows what it took to bring Davis to Dallas, and he’s not about to hit the eject button unless the return justifies it. If the right offer doesn’t come before the deadline, the Mavs are content to wait until the offseason.
For now, Dallas is focused on competing - and Davis, when on the floor, is helping them do just that. They’re 4-1 in the last five games he’s played, and when he’s locked in, he’s still one of the most impactful players in the league. His rim protection remains elite, and he can still dominate around the basket when he’s fully engaged.
But that’s the rub: teams need to see that version of Davis on a nightly basis if they’re going to consider parting with high-value assets. Nobody wants to roll the dice on a player whose availability is a question mark, especially when the cost is steep.
So, with the clock ticking toward the trade deadline, Davis’ market remains limited. There’s still time for things to shift - a strong stretch of games and a clean bill of health could change the narrative quickly. But as of now, the Mavericks aren’t fielding a flood of calls, and fans dreaming of a major haul may need to temper expectations.
The talent is there. The impact is real. But until Davis proves he can stay on the floor consistently, the trade market will continue to hesitate.