Mavericks Trade Rumors Heat Up as Deadline Nears: Could Anthony Davis Be on the Move?
As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Dallas Mavericks find themselves at a pivotal crossroads. While the rumor mill has cooled slightly in recent days, Dallas remains a team squarely in the spotlight - and for good reason.
With a roster packed with veteran talent and a budding star in rookie Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks are facing some big-picture decisions. Chief among them: what to do with Anthony Davis.
It’s been less than a full season since the Mavericks brought Davis aboard, hoping the 10-time All-Star could be the missing piece alongside Flagg and the rest of the core. But things haven’t gone according to plan. Injuries - a recurring theme in Davis’ career - have once again limited his availability, and the Mavericks are now left weighing whether it’s time to pivot toward a new timeline built around their 19-year-old phenom.
And if Dallas does decide to hit reset, there’s already a framework out there for how that could look.
A Multi-Team Deal That Could Reshape Dallas’ Future
In a proposed three-team trade scenario, the Mavericks would send Davis to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for a package that includes RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, Ochai Agbaji, and a top-three protected 2027 first-round pick from Toronto. The Brooklyn Nets would also get involved, receiving D’Angelo Russell and a 2027 second-round pick from the Raptors.
Here’s the full breakdown:
- Raptors receive: Anthony Davis
- Mavericks receive: RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, Ochai Agbaji, 2027 top-three protected first-round pick (from Toronto)
- Nets receive: D’Angelo Russell, 2027 second-round pick (from Toronto)
Let’s be clear - this isn’t a blockbuster in the traditional sense. There are no MVP candidates or All-NBA names changing hands (outside of Davis). But for where the Mavericks are right now, this kind of return makes a lot of sense.
RJ Barrett, still just 23, is an intriguing piece. The former No. 3 overall pick hasn’t quite lived up to the lofty expectations that came with his draft slot, but he’s far from a bust.
In 28 games with the Raptors this season, Barrett is putting up 18.8 points and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 33.3% from deep. Those are solid numbers, and more importantly, he’s entering the stage of his career where players often make their biggest leap.
Jakob Poeltl would give Dallas a reliable interior presence - a smart, physical big who can anchor a defense and clean the glass. Agbaji, meanwhile, adds depth on the wing and upside as a 3-and-D contributor.
And that future first-round pick? It could become a valuable asset, especially if the Raptors’ rebuild doesn’t accelerate as planned.
Building Around Flagg
The Mavericks’ front office has a decision to make, and the clock is ticking. With just days left before the deadline, they have to ask themselves: is the Davis experiment worth continuing, or is it time to hand the keys to Cooper Flagg and build out a younger, more flexible roster around him?
Flagg has been everything Dallas could’ve hoped for - a high-IQ, two-way player with poise beyond his years. He’s not just the future of the franchise; he’s already starting to look like its present. And if that’s the case, then accelerating the rebuild around him - rather than waiting for Davis to get healthy and find his rhythm - might be the smarter long-term play.
Davis, when healthy, is still one of the league’s most impactful big men. But availability has been the issue, and the Mavericks can’t afford to wait and hope for better luck. If this proposed deal is on the table, it’s a legitimate opportunity to retool without completely tearing down.
What Comes Next?
The Mavericks have just under three days to decide whether to make a bold move or stand pat and reassess in the offseason. The trade deadline always brings surprises, but for Dallas, the question is simple: do they believe in this version of the team, or is it time to start reshaping the roster around their 19-year-old rising star?
One thing is clear - if Dallas does move on from Anthony Davis, this kind of return might be as good as it gets.