The Dallas Mavericks reportedly aren’t certain to trade star big man Anthony Davis before the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline despite persistent rumors and speculation.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, sources have said “it is by no means automatic” that the Mavs will move AD. Stein added that the Mavericks won’t trade Davis “for the sake of it,” and require a strong offer in order to consider parting ways with him.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps added that sources told him there is “skepticism in a robust market” developing for Davis. Based on Stein’s report, that could lead to the Mavs keeping Davis in the fold until at least the offseason.
Shams Charania of ESPN previously reported that several teams were expected to pursue a trade for Davis, including the Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors.
The Chicago Bulls have also been mentioned as a potential landing spot since Davis is from Chicago, but Stein (h/t Heavy.com’s Joey Haverford) reported there is “no evidence” of the Bulls having interest in an AD trade.
Davis, 32, has built a Hall of Fame résumé over his 14-year NBA career with 10 All-Star nods, five All-NBA selections and one NBA championship to his credit.
He also boasts career averages of 24.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game, but injuries have always been his biggest nemesis.
Davis has played in 60 or more games only twice in the past eight seasons, and he has been limited to only 10 games this season due to a calf strain.
He also missed time last season with an adductor strain after the Mavs acquired him in the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis is signed through the 2026-27 season with a player option for 2027-28. Stein reported that Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, will seek a contract extension this offseason, which could further complicate a potential trade.
If the season ended today, the Mavs would own the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference and the final spot in the postseason play-in tournament.
Dallas isn’t a threat to go on a deep playoff run now, but that could change if and when guard Kyrie Irving returns from a torn ACL last season. Perhaps that could compel the Mavs to keep Davis in order to see what the trio of Davis, Irving and rookie No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg can do together.