The Mavericks made waves across the league with their decision to trade Anthony Davis to the Wizards - and not just because of the move itself. What’s drawing just as much attention is how it went down: Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul wasn’t brought into the loop before the deal was finalized.
That’s surprising, to say the least.
Given the high-profile nature of Davis and his longstanding relationship with Paul, the expectation around the NBA was that Dallas would keep Klutch involved in any major decision involving the All-Star forward. That expectation only grew after the departure of general manager Nico Harrison, who had strong ties to both Davis and Paul. But according to reports, that collaboration never happened.
Instead, the Mavericks made their move unilaterally, shipping Davis to Washington without prior consultation with Paul - a stark contrast to how the Cavaliers handled their recent blockbuster. When Cleveland moved Darius Garland to the Clippers in exchange for James Harden, Paul was very much in the loop. That deal had his fingerprints on it.
This time? Not so much.
According to reporting, Paul had made his stance clear to Dallas a month ago: either extend Davis or trade him - whichever path best served the franchise. The Mavericks chose the latter.
It’s a decision that makes sense on paper, even if it came with some awkward optics. Davis, who turns 33 in March, is earning $54.1 million this season and is eligible for a significant extension this summer.
But he’s only played in 20 games this year and is currently sidelined with ligament damage in his left hand. There’s still no clear timetable for his Wizards debut.
Durability has always been the wild card with Davis. When he’s healthy, he’s still one of the most impactful two-way players in the league - a game-changer on both ends of the floor. But when the injuries pile up, as they have this season, it becomes a much tougher call for front offices, especially with a massive extension looming.
Sources indicate that Paul had hoped to secure that extension in Dallas, keeping Davis in a stable, competitive environment. But with the Mavericks clearly concerned about his long-term availability and cap implications, they opted to move on ahead of the trade deadline.
Now, the focus shifts to Washington. Around the league, the belief is that Paul will pivot toward negotiating an extension with the Wizards, who now hold Davis' rights and a potentially tricky decision of their own. Do they view Davis as a foundational piece worth building around, or a short-term asset with long-term risk?
Either way, the Wizards are betting on upside. And if Davis can get healthy and stay on the floor, that bet could pay off in a big way.
For Dallas, this marks a clear turning of the page. Whether it’s the right move will depend on how they fill the void left by Davis - and how the rest of the roster responds down the stretch.