As the NBA Trade Deadline approaches, the market is heating up. All signs point towards another major transaction before the window closes for good. The first major move made was the Hawks trading Trae Young, and others are sure to follow suit.
Several well-known stars may be on the market. Teams have circled Giannis Antetokounmpo for years, and a trade now feels more plausible than ever. According to BasketNews, the Grizzlies may also consider moving Ja Morant, while the Jazz could explore offers for Lauri Markkanen. Zion Williamson, Domantas Sabonis, and even LaMelo Ball may part ways with their teams.
However, a name not mentioned here is a certain big man in Texas, involved in a groundbreaking trade that changed the future of an NBA franchise for years to come.
An Anthony Davis Trade Could Be Imminent
The Dallas Dilemma
At 32 years old with an extensive injury history, what Anthony Davis can do for a team is still up in the air. Davis, who went down with a groin injury on Christmas, is a stretch four who can score efficiently on all three levels while defending guards and protecting the rim. Davis’s health remains his biggest flaw, as it frequently limits his availability.
A championship contender just two years ago, the Dallas Mavericks are in a rebuild. The face of their franchise, Cooper Flagg, has been living up to his status as the first overall pick. Despite this, keeping elite players such as Davis and, once he returns, Kyrie Irving, will result in Dallas having two timelines on one team, something that has not worked out well for teams in the past.
The main problem that Dallas faces is Davis’s value on the trade market. Not only are teams wary of his past injuries, but also of Davis’s massive contract. Owed $58.5 million next year, trading for Davis is a high risk-high reward move. While Davis’s availability plays a huge role in this, another factor is the new CBA. This prevents NBA teams from spending too much on their rosters.
The Mavericks, while reported to be listening to offers from other teams, don’t find it necessary to trade Davis before the deadline. This is due to the team expressing interest in seeing both Davis and Flagg playing with Irving, once he has fully recovered. According to The Athletic, however, Davis’s camp believes that trading him can allow Dallas to build a better team around Flagg. Additionally, Davis’s wish for a sizable contract extension remains unanswered by the Mavericks, making a trade more likely.
Beyond Texas
Potential suitors courting a trade to get Davis have emerged, with Toronto and Atlanta at the forefront. Despite reports suggesting otherwise, Atlanta has strongly pushed back on any deal for Davis involving Zaccharie Risacher. In a trade scenario to the Hawks, Davis will have an important role to play. The Hawks’ veteran center, Kristaps Porzingis, will be a free agent this summer, which opens up a spot for Davis on the roster.
While expressing interest in Sabonis, the Raptors are also considering a move for Davis. Currently the fourth seed, Davis would be able to patch any holes that the Raptors have when protecting the rim. However, to make this deal work, the Mavericks will have to take on long-term contracts. According to Raptors reporter Josh Lewenberg, this is something that the Mavericks would only consider in exchange for significant draft capital.
The Warriors and the Bucks can safely be ruled out as destinations for Davis. The Warriors are in desperate need of a center aside from Quinten Post, as Kevon Looney is no longer on the team. At the same time, the Dubs have been clear that they are not interested in trading either Draymond Green or Jimmy Butler. Without one of those players or a third team being involved, the finances simply don’t work out.
The Bucks were also mentioned by The Athletic as wanting to add talent next to Antetokounmpo. Due to Milwaukee’s lack of assets and large enough contracts, the chances of such a trade happening are very slim. The fit may be difficult as well, as Davis plays practically the same position as Myles Turner and Antetokounmpo.
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