As the Dallas Mavericks continue to shop Anthony Davis on the NBA trade market, the 10x All-Star has made it clear where he wants to play, and the Mavericks will have to make a decision sooner rather than later.
So far this season, the Dallas Mavericks are one of the most frequent fixtures in NBA trade rumors. Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Daniel Gafford have all been included in mock trades, although Anthony Davis remains the biggest prize.
When healthy, the ten-time All-Star is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. He was the focal point of the trade that landed Luka Doncic in Los Angeles, so clearly the Mavericks covet him.
However, as the Mavs build around Cooper Flagg, Davis' massive salary and impending extension are giving the team pause. He has a $62.8 million player option in 2027-28, and would like to land an extension before that. He is expected to opt out, which means next season could be his last under contract.
That gives him and his agent--Rich Paul--some leverage.
Anthony Davis' Ideal Landing Spot Revealed
In an effort to land a long-term deal, Davis is expected to opt out of his current contract, becoming an unrestricted free agent after next season.
He will be looking for a lucrative, long-term deal. Will the Mavericks really want to commit massive money to an aging, injury-prone player, especially as they build around Flagg and the young core surrounding him?
For as elite as Davis is, it would be hard to justify a long-term commitmentr.
Instead of letting him walk in free agency for nothing, it's clear that the Mavericks will trade Davis sooner rather than later. With his contract nearly at its end, the only teams willing to trade for him would be teams in a position to offer him an extension right away.
The Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors are clear suitors, and Davis has long been linked to both of them.
But what does Davis think? He hasn't publicly come out with a wish list of destinations, but since he is interested in being paid and secure, we can make some inferences.
"League sources say Davis is believed to be amenable to both options, though it remains to be seen how motivated Atlanta and Toronto are to get a deal done," wrote The Athletic's Christian Clark and Sam Amick. However, the Mavericks might want to see what a healthy core of Flagg, Davis, and Irving looks like.
"The team is interested in seeing Davis and Flagg play alongside Kyrie Irving and hasn’t closed the door on the idea of Davis remaining in Dallas long-term," they added.
Irving won't be healthy until after the trade deadline, so the Mavericks aren't expected to deal Davis this season. If Irving returns and the trio looks sustainable, there is a chance the Mavericks throw a new contract Davis' way. If the fit just isn't good, they can move on from him next summer. His value will be the same with an entire season left on his contract, after all!
For now, Davis has a clear list of ideal landing spots: anyone who can and will pay him. Dallas hasn't elimited itself from that list just yet.