The Anthony Davis era in Dallas may be nearing an unceremonious end-and not with a bang, but with a quiet salary dump.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, league sources suggest that Davis could be moved in the coming weeks for little more than expiring contracts. That’s a far cry from the blockbuster deal that brought him to Dallas less than a year ago, a move that sent Luka Dončić the other way and reshaped the Mavericks’ franchise trajectory. Now, with Davis battling yet another injury and his trade value plummeting, Dallas may be forced to cut bait just to clear his contract off the books.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t how the Mavericks drew it up. When they acquired Davis, the hope was that pairing his two-way dominance with a retooled roster would keep them in the thick of the Western Conference race.
But injuries-something that’s followed Davis throughout his career-have once again derailed that plan. His latest setback, a hand injury that doesn’t require surgery but will sideline him for approximately six weeks, couldn’t have come at a worse time for Dallas' front office.
The Mavericks had been exploring trade options for Davis since November, shortly after general manager Nico Harrison was let go. At that point, the goal was to recoup value-young assets, draft picks, or at least some upside.
But as the deadline nears and Davis remains on the shelf, the market has cooled. Teams aren’t lining up to give away meaningful pieces for an aging, injury-prone star who’s also seeking a contract extension this summer.
Windhorst summed it up bluntly on NBA Today: “A guy who was traded for Luka Dončić a year ago could literally just get traded this year for expiring money.”
That’s the reality Dallas is facing. The second apron looms large, and the Mavericks are motivated to shed salary to regain flexibility.
In that context, even a no-frills return-just expiring deals-has some appeal. It gives them a cleaner cap sheet heading into an offseason where they’ll need to retool yet again.
Still, it’s a tough pill to swallow. Davis is a 10-time All-Star, a former champion, and one of the most talented big men of his generation.
But his time in Dallas has been marred by inconsistency and injury. The flashes of brilliance were there, but they were fleeting.
And with the team needing to make a push toward sustainability and long-term competitiveness, patience has worn thin.
Dallas isn’t being strong-armed into a deal, though. Rich Paul and Davis’ camp aren’t forcing the issue, and the Mavericks are making it clear they’ll only move him if the deal makes sense. They’ve been in talks with interested teams, and while the return may not be headline-grabbing, Davis’ projected return in early March means he could still be a factor down the stretch-either in Dallas or elsewhere.
That timeline matters. Teams eyeing a playoff run might be willing to roll the dice on Davis if they believe he can contribute in the final months of the season. The risk is there, but so is the upside-especially if the price is just cap relief.
For Dallas, the question becomes whether they can squeeze a little more out of the market. A future pick, a young flyer-something to salvage a deal that once looked like a franchise-defining move. If not, the Mavericks may have no choice but to offload Davis for financial flexibility and move on.
It’s a stark reminder of how quickly things can shift in the NBA. A year ago, Davis was the centerpiece of a seismic trade.
Now, he might be a salary dump. The Mavericks need a fresh start-and Davis might need one too.
Whether that happens before the deadline or in the offseason, one thing’s clear: the clock is ticking.