Hawks renew Anthony Davis pursuit as Mavericks explore trade market. A hand injury adds uncertainty to the star big man's availability.
With the NBA trade deadline less than a month away, momentum is building across the league, and the Atlanta Hawks have surfaced as a notable player in renewed discussions surrounding Anthony Davis.
The Dallas Mavericks are again exploring the trade market for Davis nearly a year after acquiring him in the blockbuster deal that sent Luka Dončić out of Dallas. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Hawks and the Toronto Raptors have emerged as the foremost teams expressing interest as conversations around Davis intensify.
For Atlanta, the connection reflects a franchise still reshaping its direction. The Hawks have already made one of the league’s most consequential moves this season, sending longtime centerpiece Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in a deal that returned Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum. That transaction altered Atlanta’s financial outlook and opened a window to pursue higher-salary veterans without immediately compromising roster flexibility.
At 20–22, the Hawks are straddling the line between competitiveness and retooling. Adding a player of Davis’ caliber would represent a significant acceleration of that process, particularly for a team that has lacked a true defensive anchor and interior presence in recent seasons.
Toronto’s interest comes from a different posture. The Raptors, 24–17, are pushing toward their first sustained postseason run in four years and have been evaluating opportunities to consolidate talent for a deeper playoff push. Davis, when available, remains one of the league’s most impactful two-way big men.
Davis’ name returned to the forefront this week amid confusion surrounding his health. Charania initially reported that Davis would likely miss the remainder of the regular season due to a hand injury requiring surgery. Davis publicly disputed that report on social media, and Charania later clarified that surgery would not be necessary and that Davis would be re-evaluated in roughly six weeks.
Further reporting from DallasHoopsJournal.com indicated that Davis chose a non-surgical path after receiving a second opinion from Dr. Steven Shin, a prominent hand specialist in Los Angeles. The injury involves ligament damage to Davis’ left hand sustained Jan. 8 against Utah, with a recovery timeline expected to carry him through the All-Star break.
Since the Mavericks dismissed general manager Nico Harrison, who orchestrated the Dončić-for-Davis deal, league executives have increasingly viewed Davis as a movable asset. Charania noted, however, that his trade value has been affected by recurring injuries. Davis has appeared in just 20 games this season, averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
From Atlanta’s standpoint, the calculus is layered. Davis’ talent is unquestioned, but his durability remains a concern for a team navigating a transitional phase. Still, the Hawks’ recent roster moves and newly created cap flexibility place them among the few teams capable of absorbing that risk while keeping longer-term options intact.
Whether those discussions advance remains uncertain. What is clear is that Atlanta, no longer anchored to its previous core, is positioned to explore aggressive pathways as the deadline approaches. How far the Hawks are willing to go could shape not only their season, but the next chapter of the franchise.