Could Anthony Davis land in Atlanta? A Yahoo Sports proposal suggests the Hawks might acquire him for future assets, aiming to bolster their playoff hopes.
A proposed path toward a Dallas Mavericks rebuild includes a scenario in which the franchise sends Anthony Davis to the Atlanta Hawks in a deal centered on rookie forward Asa Newell.
The idea, outlined this week by Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor, is part of a broader argument that Dallas should consider moving Davis as it weighs whether to shift fully into a long-term reset following the recent dismissal of general manager Nico Harrison.
O’Connor framed Davis as the most valuable player who could become available on the trade market, suggesting Atlanta as one of the more viable destinations.
The scenario appears as the Mavericks continue to navigate instability after the blockbuster move that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Cooper Flagg has since emerged as the franchise’s developing cornerstone, creating an organizational divide between his timeline and a veteran-heavy roster that has struggled to regain competitive footing. The proposal argues that Dallas’ best route forward may involve recouping youth, draft capital and financial flexibility.
In O’Connor’s hypothetical, the Mavericks would receive Newell, Kristaps Porziņģis, Luke Kennard and two future first-round picks. Porziņģis and Kennard would supply more than $40 million in expiring contracts, giving Dallas short-term flexibility as it evaluates how to reshape the roster around Flagg. Newell, a young forward with size and scoring touch, is presented as the primary long-term incentive for the Mavericks.
The added draft assets would help replenish a capital base depleted by recent trades, particularly as the franchise holds its own 2026 first-round pick. League evaluators anticipate that class to be one of the strongest in recent memory, adding incentive for Dallas to align its roster strategy with Flagg’s early developmental years.
For the Hawks, the deal is proposed as a ceiling-raising swing in a year when the Eastern Conference has remained fluid. Porziņģis has been limited by inconsistency and health concerns related to POTS, while Davis could provide a higher-impact interior presence. The potential pairing is framed as a calculated gamble that might accelerate Atlanta’s efforts to climb into the upper tier of the conference.
O’Connor’s broader argument rests on Davis’ contract structure — more than $175 million owed through 2027, with one guaranteed year remaining after this season — and the idea that Dallas’ window to maximize his trade value may be narrowing. The Mavericks, in his view, would benefit from acting before Davis’ market diminishes and before incremental wins push the team out of range of top-tier draft talent.
Dallas has not indicated whether it intends to entertain offers, and the Hawks have not publicly signaled interest. But as the Mavericks continue to evaluate their long-term direction, O’Connor’s proposal reflects the type of scenario that could emerge if the organization opts to prioritize a full rebuild around Flagg.