The Detroit Pistons are reportedly interested in making a trade for Dallas Mavericks star forward Anthony Davis, sources told ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins on Friday.
Davis, 32, has only appeared in five games this season due to a left calf strain. The 10-time All-Star was recently upgraded to doubtful for the Mavericks’ game against the Miami Heat on Monday night.
Mavericks Exploring Trade Market For Anthony Davis
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported last week that Mavs governor Patrick Dumont along with co-interim general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi, head coach Jason Kidd, and minority owner Mark Cuban are “plotting to pivot” to a future built around this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg.
Davis has been linked to multiple teams ever since the Mavericks parted ways with president of basketball operations and general manager Nico Harrison on Nov. 11.
“My sources are also telling me, the big fella, that Detroit has a lot of interest in old Anthony Davis,” Perkins said. “You got to match the money. You get rid of Tobias Harris who’s making a lot of money on the expiring contract, right?
“You’ll be able to pull off maybe some young talent, but long as you keep Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren and you bring AD over there to that Pistons squad.”
Other teams linked to Davis include the New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, and Heat.
Pistons Would Be Rolling The Dice On Davis
Davis played in only nine regular-season games for Dallas last season after arriving as the centerpiece in the return package of the Luka Doncic blockbuster trade.
The 6-foot-10 Davis was recovering from an abdominal injury at the time of the trade and strained his adductor in his Mavs debut. He missed six weeks because of that adductor injury.
During the offseason, Davis also underwent a procedure to repair a detached retina that he suffered near the end of the 2024-25 season. He sustained his right eye injury in Dallas’ 120-118 win over the Atlanta Hawks on April 2.
His teammate, Daniel Gafford, inadvertently elbowed him in his eye. He left the game bleeding and returned with a bandage above his right eye. A cut above his eye required four stitches.
Davis is now wearing goggles for the remainder of his career.
In total, Davis has appeared in just 14 of 50 possible regular-season games for the Mavs since that trade deal.
Although the 14-year veteran’s extensive injury history could deter teams from making a trade deal, another concerning factor has to be his three-year, $175.36 million contract.
Per Spotrac, Davis is earning $54.1 million this season and $58.5 million in 2026-27, with a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. He’ll be extension-eligible next summer as well.
This is all for an aging player who spends a lot of time on the bench.
