Mavericks Now Expected to Keep Anthony Davis Through Trade Deadline
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With the NBA trade deadline 10 days away, league sources told The Athletic’s Christian Clark that the Dallas Mavericks are increasingly unlikely to move Anthony Davis before the cutoff.
Davis, once viewed as one of the most significant names available, has seen interest diminish because of recurring injuries, his sizable contract, and anticipated long-term salary demands. The 30-year-old forward has been out since Jan. 8 after suffering ligament damage in his left hand. He has returned to light on-court activity while wearing a protective glove and chose to forego surgery, aiming to play again this season. A medical reevaluation is slated for late February, but no exact return date has been set.
Availability remains the primary concern. Davis has missed 26 of Dallas’s 46 games so far. Financial considerations add another layer of complexity: he is owed $58.5 million next season, holds a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28, and is expected to pursue an extension when he becomes eligible in August.
While Dallas had weighed restructuring its future around rookie Cooper Flagg, the franchise’s focus has shifted as Davis’s market cooled. Trade discussions involving the star forward have slowed considerably.
Elsewhere on the roster, forward Naji Marshall is attracting significant leaguewide interest. “I think half the league is interested in him,” one Western Conference scout told Clark. The Mavericks, however, plan to keep Marshall unless presented with an exceptional offer.
Center Daniel Gafford is also on several teams’ radar, including the Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, and Boston Celtics. Although his scoring numbers have dipped, Gafford’s rim protection and efficiency continue to draw attention from clubs seeking frontcourt depth.
Source: Hoops Wire
