Scouts Question Anthony Davis’ Mobility as Mavericks Slide; Morant Reportedly Unhappy With Grizzlies’ Rotation; Grimes Making Most of Sixers Role
davis-mobility-concerns-morant-frustration-grimes-sixers-impact
Concerns over Anthony Davis’ health and effectiveness have begun to circulate around the NBA, adding pressure to a Dallas Mavericks team that has opened the season at 2-7 and sits at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
Mavericks
According to The Athletic, multiple scouts and assistant coaches believe Davis is moving noticeably slower than in previous years. The 32-year-old forward arrived at training camp listed at 268 pounds, 15 pounds heavier than last season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis’ availability has also been inconsistent. Since Dallas acquired him for Luka Doncic last February, he has appeared in 14 games and missed 26. A left adductor strain sidelined him for 18 consecutive contests last spring, and a calf strain suffered on Oct. 29 has already cost him three more games this season.
Through nine outings, Davis is averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks. He is owed $54.1 million this season, $58.5 million in 2025-26 and holds a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.
Meanwhile, Doncic is putting up 40.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game for the Lakers.
Grizzlies
Ja Morant is reportedly displeased with head coach Tuomas Iisalo’s heavy use of mass substitutions and brief shifts, which the guard believes disrupt his rhythm, Dallas Hoops Journal’s Ashish Mathur reported. Morant, 26, is averaging 20.0 points while shooting 38.3 percent from the field and 14 percent from three-point range. He has not requested a trade, but league executives told The Athletic’s Sam Amick that Minnesota and Sacramento are monitoring the situation.
Morant will earn $39.4 million this season, $42.2 million in 2025-26 and $44.9 million in 2026-27. Memphis is 3-6, and Morant recently acknowledged he is “not playing with any joy.”
76ers
Sixth-man Quentin Grimes is capitalizing on increased playing time in Philadelphia. After signing his $8.7 million qualifying offer, the guard is averaging 18.3 points, 4.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals over eight games while shooting .465 from the field, .385 from beyond the arc and .791 at the line.
“The opportunity that coach is giving me provides a lot of freedom out there on the court,” Grimes told The Philadelphia Inquirer, noting that his bench minutes are “starter minutes.” Grimes will enter unrestricted free agency in July.
Source: Hoops Wire
