The Mavericks’ recent surge has only intensified the Anthony Davis trade conversation, and the podcast breaks down the scenarios, valuation and internal dynamics shaping a franchise-defining decision.
The Dallas Mavericks are winning games again, and the noise around Anthony Davis is only getting louder.
On the latest episode of the Mavs Pulse podcast, Grant Afseth and Blake Elliott have an in-depth discussion of where Dallas stands amid a pivotal stretch of the season — one defined by improved on-court results and growing uncertainty about the franchise’s biggest decision ahead of the trade deadline.
Dallas has won four of its last five games, climbing out of the Western Conference basement and re-entering the play-in conversation despite continued injury challenges. That momentum provides critical context as speculation ramps up around Davis’ future, with league reporting increasingly framing his situation as an “extend or trade” crossroads.
Throughout the episode, Elliott and Afseth examine why the Mavericks’ recent success does not simplify the Anthony Davis question — and may actually complicate it further. While Davis has flashed his impact when available, his limited games played, looming contract timeline, and history of injuries have shaped how front offices across the league value him.
Rather than treating the noise as active trade negotiations, the episode examines hypothetical trade frameworks proposed by ESPN involving teams such as Detroit, Toronto, Golden State, San Antonio, and Atlanta. Elliott and Afseth walk through those scenarios as exercises in valuation, using them to illustrate how front offices might weigh contract risk, asset quality and long-term roster fit when assessing Anthony Davis’ market.
The conversation also explores the internal dynamics influencing any potential move. With no permanent general manager in place, the Mavericks are navigating a rare power structure that includes interim leadership, ownership oversight and a head coach with significant influence over roster construction. The episode raises key questions about who ultimately drives a decision of this magnitude — and whether the organization is positioned to make a patient, value-maximizing choice.
On the basketball side, the podcast highlights tangible reasons for optimism. Dallas’ recent surge has been fueled by clearer roles, improved defensive execution and lineup adjustments that have unlocked better spacing. Anthony Davis at center has stabilized both ends of the floor, while the emergence of Ryan Nembhard as the starting point guard has brought structure, pace and ball security.
Cooper Flagg’s growth is another focal point. With more room to operate and fewer defensive bodies collapsing on him, Flagg has become increasingly aggressive and efficient, turning potential into production. The episode outlines how his development factors into broader roster decisions, especially with Kyrie Irving expected to return at some point this season.
Even with Dereck Lively II sidelined for the rest of the season and several rotation pieces still missing, the Mavericks have found ways to compete. The podcast frames Dallas’ recent wins not as a fluke, but as evidence that the team’s underlying identity — defense, pace and shared creation — is beginning to take shape.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Mavs Pulse episode captures the tension at the heart of the Mavericks’ season: a team finding its rhythm while facing a franchise-altering decision. Whether Dallas chooses to ride its momentum or pivot toward asset recovery, the stakes are rising — and the margin for error is slim.
The full episode is available on YouTube.