Report: Anthony Davis Drawing The Most Interest From 2 Eastern Conference Contenders

As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the future of Dallas Mavericks superstar Anthony Davis is becoming a major point of discussion. According to a recent report from NBA insider Marc Stein, the Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks have emerged as the teams showing the most interest in acquiring the 10-time All-Star. However, significant hurdles remain before any deal could materialize.

Mavericks’ High Asking Price For Anthony Davis

The primary obstacle in any potential trade is the Mavericks’ firm stance on the value of their star big man. Stein reports that Dallas is not interested in simply shedding Davis’s $54.1 million salary. Instead, the front office is seeking a “return of real consequence” and would only part with Davis if a deal significantly improves their roster.

This high asking price has reportedly limited the market for the 32-year-old. The Mavericks are not in a rush to move Davis for minimal assets, especially after acquiring him in a blockbuster trade for Luka Dončić last season. They are maintaining that they will only entertain offers that bring back substantial value, a position that complicates negotiations with potential suitors.

Challenges for Raptors and Hawks

For both the Raptors and Hawks, constructing a trade package that meets Dallas’s demands presents a major challenge.

Atlanta Hawks: While the Hawks have shown interest, there is reportedly “not much optimism” that they can assemble a compelling enough offer. To match Davis’s salary, a trade would likely need to include a major piece like Trae Young or Kristaps Porziņģis. With Kyrie Irving already on the Mavericks’ roster, a move for another ball-dominant guard like Young seems unlikely. Porziņģis, on the other hand, may not be the high-impact return Dallas is looking for, given his own injury history.

Toronto Raptors: The Raptors’ situation is similarly complex. Their ability to make an aggressive offer may depend on their position in the Eastern Conference standings as the February 5 deadline nears. Like the Hawks, Toronto lacks the straightforward combination of high-impact players and large, movable contracts to easily facilitate a deal of this magnitude. Stein also noted that the Raptors are hesitant to include veteran center Jakob Poeltl, a player who would be an attractive asset for Dallas.

The Path Forward

Currently, the Mavericks are struggling with a 10-17 record, placing them 12th in the Western Conference. If Dallas continues to slide in the standings, their willingness to be more flexible in trade discussions could change. For now, the market for Anthony Davis remains limited by his large contract and the Mavericks’ insistence on a premium return, leaving the Raptors and Hawks as the primary but challenged frontrunners in a developing trade saga.