The Dallas Mavericks are planning to keep Anthony Davis, despite reports that the franchise will pursue a trade for the 10-time All-Star, minority shareholder Mark Cuban said Wednesday.
“We aren’t trying to trade AD. We are trying to win,” Cuban told The Dallas Morning News in an email.
The Athletic was first to report Cuban’s comments, which appear to shut down trade speculation surrounding the power forward — for now. There’s still plenty of time before the NBA’s Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Davis’ status with the Mavericks has been under a microscope since last week’s firing of Nico Harrison, the former general manager who acquired Davis in February by trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavericks (4-11) are off to their worst start since the 2017-18 season, prior to Doncic’s rookie season.
Mavericks
Cuban made his remarks following an ESPN report Wednesday that said the Mavericks will explore the trade market for Davis as they look to build around 18-year-old rookie forward Cooper Flagg, who gives the franchise a long-term window to compete.
Davis has appeared in only five games this season because of a left calf strain and will miss his 11th consecutive contest Wednesday night when the Mavericks host the New York Knicks. He has a new timeline of five to eight days before he returns, which could be as soon as Monday night in Miami and as late as next Friday against the Lakers.
The team’s medical staff and Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont need to clear Davis before a potential return.
A person familiar with the team’s decision-making process confirmed an ESPN report that Cuban now serves in an advisory role to Dumont while the franchise navigates life without a full-time general manager. Co-interim general managers Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley have been elevated to lead basketball operations while the team conducts a comprehensive search for Harrison’s successor.
Davis, 32, is averaging a double-double of 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds with 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks this season.
X/Twitter: @MikeACurtis2