The Dallas Mavericks are stuck in that all-too-familiar middle ground - not quite contending, not quite rebuilding. And after a Christmas Day loss to the Warriors dropped them to 12-20, the pressure to make a big move is building. But according to NBA analyst Zach Lowe, the smart play might be not to play - at least when it comes to trading Anthony Davis.
On the latest episode of The Lowe Post, Lowe laid out a compelling case for why Dallas should resist the urge to hit the panic button. Despite a rocky record, he sees signs of life - and more importantly, a lack of viable trade options that would justify moving a star like Davis.
“I just don’t think there’s a really good AD trade,” Lowe said. “They’re seven and five in their last 12 games. There’s something fun happening with Cooper and Anthony Davis together.”
That “something fun” is worth holding onto, especially when you consider the alternatives. Lowe pointed out that even if Dallas wanted to tank - and there’s no indication they do - they’d have a hard time out-losing some of the league’s bottom-dwellers. Utah, Sacramento, Washington, Indiana, Brooklyn - all of them are deeper into the rebuild, and in some cases, strategically positioned to lose games without even trying.
“I don’t think they could out-lose Utah because of the pick that Utah owes,” Lowe said. “I don’t think they could out-lose Sacramento because they’re Sacramento.
I don’t think they could out-lose the Wizards. I don’t think they can out-lose the Pacers, who are in the greatest one-year tank position since the Spurs tanked for Tim Duncan… and I don’t think they can out-lose the Nets.”
That’s not exactly a flattering list to compete with - and it underscores why a full teardown just doesn’t make sense for Dallas right now. Lowe’s proposal?
A "soft tank." Let the season play out, don’t force a bad deal, and hope the lottery gods smile on you again.
“If I’m stuck in that nether world, I’m not making an Anthony Davis trade that sucks just to make it,” Lowe said. “Particularly now since he’s injured, I’m riding it out. I’m going to sort of organically soft tank my way and hope the lottery gods are kind to me like they were last year… and I’m coming back next year with AD, and Kyrie, and Cooper Flagg.”
There’s a lot baked into that vision. First, the acknowledgment that Davis’ current injury - a right groin issue suffered on Christmas Day - complicates any trade talks.
Teams are naturally hesitant to give up value for a player who’s not immediately available. Second, there’s the belief that the Mavericks’ core, when healthy, still has untapped potential.
Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Cooper Flagg may not have had much time together yet, but there’s enough talent there to justify patience.
And let’s not forget: Dallas struck gold in last year’s lottery, landing the No. 1 overall pick. That kind of luck can change a franchise’s trajectory overnight. Lowe isn’t betting on a repeat, but he’s arguing that the upside of standing pat outweighs the downside of forcing a move.
This isn’t about waving the white flag - it’s about playing the long game. Under Lowe’s proposed path, the Mavericks would stay competitive night to night, focus on player development, and keep their options open heading into the offseason.
No fire sale. No panic move.
Just a calculated bet that time, health, and maybe a little lottery luck can put this team back on track.
Dallas hits the road for a three-game trip starting Saturday against the Kings. It’s another chance to see what this group can do - even if the wins don’t come right away.
For now, the message is clear: unless the right deal comes along, Anthony Davis isn’t going anywhere. And that might be the smartest move the Mavericks can make.