If the Dallas Mavericks decide to put Anthony Davis on the trade block ahead of the February 5 deadline, don’t be surprised if he lands in the Eastern Conference - and don’t be shocked if the Toronto Raptors are the ones making the call.
Davis, still one of the league’s premier two-way big men when healthy, has drawn reported interest from several Eastern Conference teams including the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, and Chicago Bulls. But Toronto is the team to watch.
They’ve cooled off after a strong start to the season and NBA Cup play, yet they remain very much alive in a wide-open Eastern Conference race. The Raptors have the wings, with Scottie Barnes continuing to grow into a franchise centerpiece and Brandon Ingram providing proven scoring on the perimeter.
What they lack is an anchor in the paint. Davis, with his elite rim protection and versatility, checks that box in a big way.
According to reports, Dallas is open to moving Davis before the deadline, and Toronto has emerged as a serious suitor. The Raptors have quietly built a roster that’s both competitive now and flexible down the road - a rare combination.
They’ve stockpiled young talent and future picks, which gives them the kind of leverage that can make a blockbuster deal happen. While there’s been some internal discussion about dipping below the luxury tax line (they’re just over it by about $770,000), the front office appears willing to stretch that if it means landing a game-changing frontcourt presence like Davis or even Domantas Sabonis.
From Dallas’ perspective, the situation is layered. Around Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks are still trying to find the right long-term backcourt partner, especially with Kyrie Irving’s return timeline uncertain due to his torn ACL.
Ryan Nembhard has shown flashes, but he’s still a two-way player - more of a stopgap than a solution. If Dallas is going to move Davis, they’ll need a return that helps them stabilize the point guard spot and build out a more sustainable roster around Flagg.
That brings us back to Toronto. To match Davis’ salary, the Raptors would likely have to part with either RJ Barrett or Immanuel Quickley, plus some smaller contracts to make the numbers work.
Of the two, Quickley may be the more attractive piece for Dallas. He’s not the most efficient scorer, but he’s steady, smart with the ball, and capable of running an offense - a crucial trait if Irving’s absence stretches into next season or beyond.
He and Jamal Shead are both putting up career-high assist numbers, but Quickley’s NBA experience gives him the edge in trade value.
A post-deal lineup in Dallas featuring Irving (if healthy), Quickley, PJ Washington, Flagg, Dereck Lively II, and Naji Marshall has balance on both ends. It’s not flashy, but it’s coherent - and that’s something the Mavericks have been missing. It would also signal a clear shift in direction, building a young, defensively sound core around Flagg with just enough veteran presence to compete now.
For Toronto, this would be a swing. But it’s the kind of swing they’ve taken before.
Even with Masai Ujiri no longer calling the shots, the Raptors have a track record of bold moves - and Davis, despite the injury history, is still the kind of player who can shift a franchise’s ceiling. If they believe Barnes is ready to win now, pairing him with Davis could be the move that gets them out of the middle and back into the mix at the top of the East.
So while nothing’s imminent, the groundwork is there. Davis is available.
Toronto has the assets. And if the Raptors decide it’s time to make a push, this could be the deal that defines their season - and possibly their next era.