Recent reporting suggested that the Dallas Mavericks are expected to test the trade market for veteran forward Anthony Davis in the wake of general manager Nico Harrison’s dismissal. However, Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban is trying to shut down such speculation.
Mark Cuban says Mavericks won't trade Anthony Davis
“We won’t. We want to try to win,” Cuban replied when asked if he and Mavs governor Patrick Dumont would look to deal Davis, via The Athletic’s Joe Vardon.
The Mavericks acquired Davis in the infamous Luka Doncic trade prior to the deadline last season, but that was before the Mavs landed the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and used it on Cooper Flagg. Now, the logic behind a hypothetical Davis trade is that Davis doesn’t really fit Dallas’ new Flagg-focused timeline, and flipping him for other assets that do would make sense.
The same could be said about other veterans on the roster like Klay Thompson and even Kyrie Irving. Is it time for a full-blown rebuild in Dallas? Cuabn is saying no now, but things can change rapidly in the NBA.
The Mavs currently sit 13th in the West with a 4-11 record. If things don’t improve by the trade deadline in February, perhaps Cuban’s stance on Davis could change.
The fact that Davis’ trade value is reportedly low could be a factor in Cuban’s stance as well. Davis currently has two years and over $120 million remaining on his current contract, which includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. That’s a steep price to pay for an oft-injured 32 year old.
So for now, Davis, who is currently sidelined with a calf strain, will remain a Maverick. Perhaps his eventual return to game action will help the team climb out of the basement in the Western Conference. But, this isn’t the end of the story just because Cuban said so.
If the Mavericks continue to struggle, Davis’ future will remain a topic of conversation, until the trade deadline at least. That's just the way it goes in the NBA, as Cuban well knows.