3 Reasons Mavericks Should Avoid Anthony Davis Trade Despite Harrison's Firing

3 Reasons Mavericks Must Not Consider a Blockbuster Anthony Davis Trade Just Yet

The Dallas Mavericks made one of the most shocking moves in NBA history earlier this year, trading away their star player Luka Doncic along with Maxi Kleber to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. This move came as a surprise to many fans and analysts, especially since it was not long ago that the Mavericks were making a deep playoff run.

Nico Harrison, the general manager at the time, defended the trade by emphasizing that defense wins championships. However, nine months later, Harrison has been let go from his position, raising questions about whether the Mavericks will reconsider their decision regarding Anthony Davis.

Despite the change in leadership, there are several compelling reasons why the Mavericks should not rush into a trade involving Davis just yet.

Trading Anthony Davis Now Would Be Selling Low

Anthony Davis remains one of the most versatile big men in the league, known for his defensive prowess and ability to impact the game in multiple ways. While he is 32 years old, his presence on the court still guarantees a top-half finish in defensive rankings.

However, Davis has been plagued by injuries over the years. He missed at least 26 games in five of the past seven seasons, and his style of play makes him more susceptible to such issues. Recently, he has dealt with a groin injury and a calf injury, which have limited his availability.

If the Mavericks were to trade Davis now, they would be selling low on a player who still has two years left on his contract, including an option for the 2027-28 season worth $62.8 million. The market for Davis would be limited due to his age and injury history, making it difficult for teams to justify a significant trade for him.

Keeping Davis in the lineup for the rest of the 2025-26 season would provide the Mavericks with a clearer sense of direction and help them determine if keeping him is a viable long-term strategy.

This Current Mavericks Core Hasn't Gotten a Fair Shot

It's important to note that the Mavericks' current core hasn't had a chance to fully showcase its potential. Kyrie Irving, who is expected to return in January, will need to manage his workload carefully due to his age and previous injury.

A starting lineup featuring Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington, and Max Christie could be quite formidable. Head coach Jason Kidd could also experiment with different lineups, potentially inserting Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford for additional size.

The Mavericks should give this team a chance to prove itself before making any drastic decisions. If the team struggles with health or fails to compete in the Western Conference, then a trade might be considered. But for now, giving the current core a fair shot is the best course of action.

Letting Go of Davis Would Be an Admission of Defeat

Firing Nico Harrison was already seen as an admission that the Mavericks made a mistake with the Doncic trade. However, letting go of Davis after the front office change would only add to the perception that the team is struggling.

Anthony Davis is a valuable two-way player when healthy, and while he may not be on the same level as Luka Doncic, he is still a solid foundation to build around. Trading him now would send a message that the Mavericks are giving up on their current strategy.