The Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors are expected to be among the suitors for Dallas Mavericks star forward Anthony Davis at this season’s trade deadline, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday.
Per Charania, the Mavericks are reportedly open to exploring the trade markets for Davis, center Daniel Gafford, and guards Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell.
Injuries Continue To Impact Anthony Davis
Davis, 32, arrived in Dallas last season as the centerpiece in the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade. Davis, however, played in only nine regular-season games with the Mavericks in 2024-25.
The 10-time All-Star was recovering from an abdominal injury at the time of the trade and strained his adductor in his Mavs debut. He missed six weeks due to that adductor injury.
During the offseason, Davis also underwent a procedure to repair a detached retina that he suffered near the end of 2024-25. He sustained his right eye injury in Dallas’ 120-118 win over the Hawks on April 2.
Davis then missed 14 consecutive games this season due to a left calf strain.
Through 10 appearances (all starts) this season, Davis is averaging 19.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.6 blocks, and 29.3 minutes per contest while shooting 52.3% from the field and 69% from the foul line.
Pistons, Hawks, Raptors Could Make Trade
Per Spotrac, Davis is currently in the first year of the three-year, $175.36 million max contract extension he signed with the Lakers in August 2023. His deal includes a $62.78 million player option for 2027-28.
The Pistons, Hawks, and Raptors would each be able to include multiple contracts in a potential trade package to accommodate Davis’ incoming salary.
A Detroit package could include Tobias Harris’ expiring salary ($26.6 million), while Atlanta is expected to offer Kristaps Porzingis’ $30.7 million expiring salary and possibly star guard Trae Young ($46 million).
Meanwhile, Toronto could use RJ Barrett ($27.7 million), who has one additional year left. This is part of the four-year, $120 million contract he signed with the New York Knicks in September 2022.
Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley ($32.5 million) could also be a trade candidate.
Bulls Had Internal Discussions With Mavs
Earlier this month, ESPN’s Jamal Collier reported that both the Mavericks and Chicago Bulls had “internal discussions about how to proceed” in trade talks involving Davis.
Collier noted that Chicago still views Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Matas Buzelis as its future core, as well as rookie Noa Essengue, the No. 12 pick in the 2025 draft who made his NBA debut on Nov. 22.
This could mean that Chicago is refusing to go all-in to acquire Davis.
Sources told Collier that the Bulls will not consider trading any members of their young core to acquire a veteran superstar like Davis until the team is closer to contention.
Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Bulls own their own first-round draft picks for the next seven years and an additional 2026 top-14-protected first from Portland. Chicago can trade up to five firsts and five second-round picks, and could have nearly $70 million in cap room next offseason.
