CHICAGO — Before Thursday, the Dallas Mavericks had two clear paths before the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.
They could keep Anthony Davis, their most valuable trade asset, in hopes he’d someday form a dynamic trio in the Western Conference alongside Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg, as long as everyone was healthy. “As long,” being the qualifier.
Or they could prioritize their 19-year-old rookie and trade Davis for a combination of draft picks, expiring contracts and perhaps a young star better suited to Flagg’s timeline.
On Thursday, their options dwindled to none, and their chances for a blockbuster trade were thrown into disarray.
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Davis reportedly sustained ligament damage in his left hand during the final minutes of Thursday’s loss to the Utah Jazz and is sidelined indefinitely. It’s the latest in a long line of injuries since he was acquired last February.
If surgery is required, Davis is expected to miss multiple months, which could mean the rest of the 2025-26 campaign.
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This setback tanks the trade value the Mavericks had hoped to restore following his return from a left calf strain that kept him out of 14 games this season.
The Atlanta Hawks, who officially traded Trae Young to the Washington Wizards on Friday, are one of a few teams that had reportedly registered interest in Davis before his latest injury. Even if they’re still interested, what they’re willing to offer could change. The Hawks’ expiring contracts include former Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kennard.
The Toronto Raptors have also been floated as a possible trade partner, with a framework being built around RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl.
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Chicago, where the Mavericks play the Bulls on Saturday, was also considered a possible landing spot for Davis, who hails from the Windy City.
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The Mavericks are in 11th place in the West entering Saturday’s game, just three games in the loss column behind the Memphis Grizzlies, who will reportedly entertain offers to move star guard Ja Morant ahead of the trade deadline.
Silver linings have been rare over the past 12 months when it comes to the Mavericks. The opportunity to draft Flagg was their blessing in disguise for missing the playoffs last season.
This time, the silver lining could come from the Mavericks missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season and earning a quality draft position this summer — the final draft they have full control over their own first-round pick until 2031.
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Under former general manager Nico Harrison, the Mavericks traded most of their draft assets to build around Luka Doncic, who was infamously traded for Davis on Feb. 1, 2024. After 2026, they don’t control their first-round pick until 2030.
The 2026 draft class is being touted as one of the strongest in recent memory, with a trio of prospects in Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson who have the potential to be selected with the No. 1 pick, as Flagg was in 2025.
With Davis sidelined, it would be in the team’s best interests to unleash Flagg, a two-time Rookie of the Month who’s earning All-Star consideration in the latest returns for fan voting.
Flagg is averaging 19.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals and could have an expedited development into a true No. 1 option for the Mavericks.
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Davis is averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 20 games this season. When he’s healthy, he’s still a dominant two-way force. But his availability has been his Achilles’ heel.
A week ago, the Mavericks were good.
Well, maybe not good, considering where they sit in the standings, but they were better off than they are today.
X: @MikeACurtis2
AdvertisementRelated StoriesRead MoreMavericks fear Anthony Davis suffered serious hand injury that could require surgeryDavis suffered a left hand injury during the final minutes of Thursday’s loss to the Utah Jazz.Cooper Flagg shines but Mavericks’ turnover issue dooms them in close loss against JazzMavericks’ big man Anthony Davis also left the game in the final two minutes.
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