3 Trades If Anthony Davis Played His Last Game For the Dallas Mavericks
Anthony Davis may have played his final game for the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 8. Davis, 32, left the Mavs-Utah Jazz game after 35 minutes due to a hand injury. The 32-year-old recorded 21 points and 11 rebounds before leaving the court with an immense amount of pain. It prompted a timeout and a decision to remove him from the game.
The NBA trade deadline is on Feb. 8 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern. Davis’s hand injury will lower his trade value, but money isn’t a concern, only his durability. Here are three trades if he played in his last game for the Mavs.
Davis’ Hand Injury Negatively Impacts His Trade Value
The Athletic’s Christian Clark reported that, according to NBA personnel, the Mavericks “won’t be able to trade Davis before Feb. 5. Davis’ trade value was already low because of his contract (he’s owed $58.5 million next season and holds a $62.8 million player option in 2027-28) and his durability concerns. This hand injury only lowers his trade value.”
However, Dallas sits with a 14-25 record as of Saturday night. Davis will likely be out for six weeks. If the Mavs were smart, they’d just hold him out for the rest of the season.
3 Trades If Davis Played His Final Game For the Mavericks
2026 is the final year of the Mavs’ draft picks they own until 2031. The Mavs should consider finding more young talent to surround rookie Cooper Flagg with. However, Dallas may give itself a bite at the apple with draft picks by trading some veterans. Dallas’ current roster has veterans who could give them decent returns.
First, Dallas can trade Forward Naji Marshall to the Detroit Pistons. Marshall, 27, signed a three-year, $27 million contract to play for a contender. However, Dallas isn’t nearly enough to meet or surpass a contender status. There are contenders, such as Detroit, Golden State, and New York, who would benefit from wing help. If Detroit trades for Marshall, they could trade center Paul Reed and their 2026 first-round pick to Dallas.
Second, Dallas can trade Forward Daniel Gafford, who hasn’t played his best basketball this season. Still, multiple teams have expressed interest in him. The Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Indiana Pacers, and Toronto Raptors would benefit from Gafford’s services amid his three-year, $54 million contract with the Mavs. Golden State, Los Angeles, and Toronto don’t have a first-round pick to trade, but Indiana may trade Guard Bennedict Mathurin for the 27-year-old.
Third, Dallas can talk a contender into taking Guard Klay Thompson on for a playoff run for a different salary. The Orlando Magic may take on Thompson, 35, to lift their shooting. If so, Orlando can trade Forward Jonathan Isaac and Guard Tyus Jones for the 35-year-old, fellow Guard D’Angelo Russell, and a potential second-round pick.
Davis’ Trade Outlook
Davis’ trade outlook remains yet to be seen, but his most recent injury, ligament damage in his left hand, appeared to shift the trade talks ahead of the NBA deadline.
If Dallas trades Davis, he will likely help a younger team as a veteran leader in the frontcourt. When he’s surrounded by shooters spacing the floor, he will have room to operate inside.
