The Mavericks are back in the Anthony Davis trade conversation - again. After weeks of on-again, off-again chatter, Dallas has reignited talks centered around the All-Star big man, according to reporting from Shams Charania. And while the front office is keeping its options open, it’s clear they’re not in any rush to make a move unless the deal checks all the right boxes.
Marc Stein echoed that sentiment, noting that Dallas’ stance remains firm: they’re not moving Davis unless the return makes long-term sense. That could mean waiting until the offseason, much like the Suns did with Kevin Durant, in hopes that the market heats up and a more favorable offer comes along.
But here’s where things get interesting - and a bit strategic. The Mavericks are eyeing the draft board as much as the trade market.
This is the final year they control their own first-round pick until 2031, and that’s not a small detail. With that in mind, Dallas might be more cautious about rushing Davis back from injury, even though it’s his non-shooting hand.
The thinking? Better lottery odds might outweigh a few extra wins in a season that’s already looking like a pivot point.
As Charania put it bluntly: “For all intents and purposes, meaningful basketball in Dallas for Davis this season is over.”
There’s also a financial layer to all of this. The Mavericks are carrying a hefty $31.9 million luxury tax bill this year, and Davis’ $54.1 million salary is a big reason why.
Dallas is trying to avoid crossing into the second apron next season - a threshold that would seriously limit their roster flexibility. That makes any potential Davis trade even trickier.
One rumored suitor is Toronto, but the Raptors’ potential package - likely centered around RJ Barrett and either Immanuel Quickley or Jakob Poeltl - wouldn’t exactly help Dallas shed long-term salary. That’s a problem for a front office trying to clean up its cap sheet as much as its win-loss record.
Meanwhile, Naji Marshall’s name has been floating around the trade market as well. The 27-year-old wing has been quietly putting together a strong season, averaging 13.6 points, 4.6 boards, and 2.8 assists in nearly 29 minutes per game.
He’s versatile, efficient, and outperforming his contract - which makes him valuable, both to Dallas and to teams calling about him. The Mavs would prefer to keep him, but if a deal comes along that eases their financial burden, they’ll at least pick up the phone.
Then there’s Max Christie, who’s quietly becoming a key part of Dallas’ long-term vision. The 21-year-old guard has started 29 of 38 games this season and is averaging a career-best 12.3 points per game.
He’s shooting a sharp 44.1% from beyond the arc and regularly takes on tough defensive assignments. On top of that, he’s locked into a team-friendly deal - $7.7 million this year, $8.3 million next, with a player option in 2027-28 - making him one of the more valuable young assets on the roster.
The next step for Christie? Letting it fly from deep more often.
He’s averaging 5.4 three-point attempts per game - solid, but the Mavs believe there’s room to ramp that up.
So where does this all leave Dallas? In a familiar spot: balancing the present with the future, trying to stay competitive without compromising long-term flexibility. Whether or not a Davis trade materializes before the deadline, the Mavericks are clearly playing the long game - and every move from here on out will reflect that.