The Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks are the only confirmed teams that are interested in pursuing a trade for Dallas Mavericks star center Anthony Davis, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.
Raptors, Hawks Eyeing Anthony Davis Trade
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Dec. 9 that the Detroit Pistons, Hawks, and Raptors are expected to be among the suitors for Davis at this season’s Feb. 5 trade deadline.
However, the Pistons seem content with their current roster. Detroit remains at the top of the Eastern Conference standings with a 27-9 record after finishing 44-38 last season.
“I think for now though, just confidently speaking publicly, I think Toronto and Atlanta are still the only teams that we can talk about as confirmed teams that are interested in pursuing Anthony Davis,” Fischer said Tuesday while on Bleacher Report’s Insider Notebook.
“And with Toronto, I think their side of this, their interest, I think only has to grow the longer that Jakob Poeltl is out due to injury and the future of Toronto’s front court, both right now and in the, you know, long term, like the future of this season, but also multiple years because Yaka Per signed a four-year deal.”
A source close to the Pistons also told Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press last month that the NBA franchise hasn’t had discussions with the Mavericks regarding a potential trade for Davis.
Injuries Have Derailed Davis’ NBA Career
Since arriving in Dallas last February as the centerpiece of the Luka Doncic trade, Davis has dealt with several injuries that have limited him to a total of just 28 regular-season games.
Davis, who was recovering from an abdominal strain at the time of the trade, suffered a related adductor strain in his Mavs debut. That injury sidelined him for 18 games.
The 6-foot-10 big man also missed 14 games earlier this season due to a left calf strain and then a couple of games because of a groin strain. He’s made three straight appearances since then.
In addition to his extensive injury history, Davis is currently in the first season 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, per Spotrac.
Through 16 appearances (all starts) this campaign, Davis is averaging 20.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.7 blocks, and 31.1 minutes per game while shooting 50.6% from the field and 28.6% from deep.
