With the NBA trade deadline just 10 days away, the Dallas Mavericks find themselves in a familiar spot - juggling long-term planning with short-term needs. And while there’s always buzz this time of year, don’t expect Anthony Davis to be part of the movement. Multiple league sources have indicated that the 10-time All-Star is unlikely to be traded before the deadline.
Davis is still working his way back from a left hand injury he suffered in the Mavericks’ Jan. 8 game against the Utah Jazz. He was seen doing some light on-court work before Saturday’s game against the Lakers, but he’s not expected to return to action until late February at the earliest.
Availability has been a major storyline for Davis this season. He’s played in just 20 games while missing 26, and with his 33rd birthday coming up in March, questions about durability and long-term value are becoming harder to ignore. He holds a $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season, meaning he’ll be 35 when his current deal wraps - a number that’s giving potential suitors pause.
But while Davis’ trade market remains quiet, other Mavericks are drawing plenty of attention - especially Naji Marshall.
Marshall, affectionately known as “The Knife” for his slashing, aggressive style, is having a career year, and the league is noticing. One Western Conference scout went as far as to say, “I think half the league is interested in him.” And it’s not hard to see why.
The 28-year-old forward is averaging 14.7 points per game on an ultra-efficient 63.5 true shooting percentage. He’s been a steady riser since entering the league in 2020 as an undrafted rookie on a two-way deal with the Pelicans. Now, he’s one of the Mavericks’ most reliable offensive options - and one of their best bargains.
Marshall’s game is built on craft and touch. In the paint, he’s been lethal with floaters and push shots, converting 74% of his looks at the rim and 63% from the short midrange (4 to 14 feet), per Cleaning the Glass. That kind of efficiency, combined with his versatility and improving defense, makes him a valuable asset - especially on a contract that pays him just $9 million this season and $9.4 million next year, roughly 5.7% of the cap.
Dallas, understandably, isn’t eager to move him. The front office has signaled that it would take a significant return to even consider dealing Marshall.
Another name generating interest is Daniel Gafford, the Mavericks’ high-energy big man who’s caught the eye of several teams looking to bolster their frontcourt. The Raptors, Hawks, and Celtics are among those reportedly kicking the tires on a potential deal.
Gafford’s scoring is down this season - from 12.3 points per game last year to 7.6 - but there’s context behind the dip. He’s been playing through a nagging right ankle sprain that’s clearly affected his explosiveness and minutes. Still, at 27 years old and with a recent history of starting in the NBA Finals, Gafford’s ceiling remains intriguing.
When healthy, he’s a classic rim-running center - a lob threat on offense and a shot-blocking anchor on defense. Even in Saturday’s loss to the Lakers, he showed flashes of what he can do, including a highlight-reel block on a LeBron James drive late in the fourth quarter.
The Mavericks locked Gafford up long-term with a three-year, $54 million extension signed in July, keeping him under contract through the 2028-29 season. That kind of cost certainty, paired with his age and skillset, makes him an attractive trade chip - but also a player Dallas could easily decide to keep.
The broader picture here is that the Mavericks, sitting at 19-27 and 12th in the West, are in a bit of a bind. They’ve got the league’s fourth-highest payroll, a roster built to support Luka Dončić, and very little draft capital left after going all-in on win-now moves - including last year’s blockbuster trade with the Lakers.
The draft cupboard is nearly bare. After this season, Dallas doesn’t fully control its own first-round pick again until 2031.
Their only first-round asset of note is the Lakers’ unprotected 2029 pick. As for second-rounders?
They don’t own one until 2030.
So, while Davis is likely staying put, the Mavericks are very much a team to watch as the trade deadline approaches. Whether they decide to shed salary, recoup draft picks, or make another bold move to support Dončić, the next 10 days could go a long way in shaping their path forward - both this season and beyond.