The Dallas Mavericks are expected to shop Anthony Davis ahead of the NBA trade deadline, although another, less-flashy name could command even higher value.
As NBA trade season started to heat up in December, the Dallas Mavericks were front and center. At the time, the team was struggling, and veterans Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson, and Anthony Davis were all expected to be moved.
Since then, the Mavericks have cobbled together some surprising wins, Thompson has returned to form, and Davis has been ruled out through February with a hand injury. Interest in Davis seems to be at an all-time low, although the Mavericks have other trade assets.
However, recent reports suggest that Dallas isn't really interested in moving some of their best assets.
Dallas Mavericks Are 'Drawing Interest' On Trade Market
Last month, teams like the Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors seemed to be prime suitors for Davis. However, Trae Young has been moved, and the Warriors--after losing Jimmy Butler--are all but out of the playoff race.
That doesn't mean the Mavericks can't still pull off a blockbuster.
"It remains unlikely that Anthony Davis will be on the move," wrote The Athletic's Christian Clark. "While Davis’ market is tepid because of his contract status and injury history, other Mavericks players are drawing interest from rival teams. Mavericks forward Naji Marshall, in particular, is a player in demand. 'I think half the league is interested in him,' one scout with a Western Conference team said."
Would the Mavericks be interested in moving Marshall? He's broken out as one of the team's best role-players next to Cooper Flagg this season, and the team doesn't seem eager to trade him.
"The Mavericks are signaling they’d like to hold onto Marshall and that it would take something extraordinary to consider moving the 28-year-old, who is in the midst of a career year," Clark reported.
Marshall isn't the only Dallas player receiving substantial interest in NBA trade rumors.
"Daniel Gafford is another Mavericks player receiving interest on the trade market, in part because of the number of NBA teams seeking an upgrade at center," he added. "The Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, and Boston Celtics are among the teams interested in adding a big man."
Gafford, with Dereck Lively II eventually going to return from his foot injury, seems like a more likely candidate to be moved. Teams like the Warriors and Raptors have long been linked to the big man, and the Mavericks could demand some future-driven assets in return.