The Mavericks’ struggles this season have forced Dallas into an emergency situation few around the league expected this quickly. They have fired Nico Harrison, and this might be the first move of many to come. The next steps could be moving on from Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, two current franchise cornerstones.
Sitting dead last in the West after trading Luka Doncic last season, they’ve suffered through a year in which Irving hasn’t played a minute and Davis (posting 20.8 PPG and 10.2 RPG in 5 appearances) is sidelined yet again. Rookie and 18-year-old Cooper Flagg (15.0 PPG, 6.8 RPG) has been thrown directly into the fire, tasked with carrying a roster that was never built for him to shoulder without any help.
That combination has pushed Dallas toward an ugly truth: it’s time to rebuild. And with Davis now 32 and no longer holding elite value, the Mavericks can still capitalize by exploring the market. There is no point in paying two superstar players when the team is rebuilding, and the first step has to cashing in on the available star: Anthony Davis.
Here are six of the most realistic destinations for the star big man as Dallas considers its immediate rebuild.
Miami Heat
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Anthony Davis, Dante Exum
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, Nikola Jovic, 2029 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick (swap), 2031 first-round pick
The Heat likely want a frontcourt co-star for Bam Adebayo, and Anthony Davis finally gives them a chance to create the most exciting twin-towers pairing in the league. Davis and Adebayo are two modern bigs who can run, defend, and score at all three levels. Surrounded by Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Norman Powell, Miami would have an elite defensive identity with enough offense to compete with the East’s best.
Keeping Herro and Powell in the process is a victory in itself; it allows Miami to keep their core right now. And if there’s any culture that can bring out Davis’ long-discussed but inconsistently displayed killer instinct, it’s Erik Spoelstra’s. For Dallas, this package is all about getting rid of a tough asset.
Andrew Wiggins (17.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG) gives them a high-level defender who doesn’t need heavy touches, Terry Rozier is dealing with off-court issues and likely won’t be available, and Nikola Jovic (10.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG) is a 22-year-old with real upside.
The real prize, however, is the Heat’s picks. Three bites at the apple in 2029, 2030 (swap), and 2031, giving the Mavericks future assets that align with Cooper Flagg’s timeline. Dallas needs to think ahead and with another loaded draft coming up next season, this is a major chance for them to continue building.
Chicago Bulls
Proposed Trade Details
Chicago Bulls Receive: Anthony Davis
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Coby White, Zach Collins, Patrick Williams, 2029 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick
The Chicago Bulls are off to a surprisingly strong start, and the idea of adding Anthony Davis, a hometown star, has never made more sense. With Josh Giddey considered untouchable and probably Nikola Vucevic as well, Chicago is trying to go for a run in the wide-open East. A Big Three of Giddey, Davis, and Vucevic would immediately become one of the East’s toughest.
Chicago only parts with two future picks and Coby White, a player they may hesitate to pay long-term anyway, making this a great move. Meanwhile, Dallas walks away with value that helps in several areas.
Coby White (currently out with a calf injury) can become Flagg’s long-term backcourt teammate, young, improving as a creator, and capable of carrying offense when needed. Zach Collins gives them a reliable rotational big, while Patrick Williams (8.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG) is a high-upside defensive prospect who just needs a change of scenery. Add two first-round picks, and Dallas comes away with a solid package.
San Antonio Spurs
Proposed Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Anthony Davis
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, 2029 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick
No team in the league could utilize Anthony Davis’ defensive abilities like the Spurs, who are ascending as a playoff contender around Victor Wembanyama. A Davis-Wembanyama frontcourt is arguably the most terrifying defensive duo in NBA history. Two 7-footers with guard-level mobility would be almost ridiculous in the modern NBA.
With Stephon Castle improving and De’Aaron Fox likely to return to an All-Star level, San Antonio would boast a four-man core capable of contending sooner than expected. Losing Devin Vassell (13.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG) and two future picks hurts, but the Spurs have spent years collecting assets for these kinds of opportunities.
Dallas benefits from receiving a former cornerstone-level talent in Vassell, who can grow into a top scoring option next to Flagg while spacing the floor and defending the backcourt well. Harrison Barnes adds professionalism and scoring (11.9 PPG, 50.0% 3-PT FG) in a rebuilding locker room.
The Spurs’ 2029 and 2031 first-rounders give Dallas valuable long-term flexibility, especially as San Antonio’s trajectory can swing dramatically depending on health or other factors. It’s a clean, logical return that Dallas might have to accept if offers don’t come fast and plenty.
Golden State Warriors
Proposed Trade Detail
Golden State Warriors Receive: Anthony Davis
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, 2032 first-round pick
The Golden State Warriors have not performed well at all, suffering through a tough stretch of games and looking like they need more help. Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler have shown enough to be franchsie cornerstones, but they could use one more star player to lighten the load on both ends of the court. Anthony Davis is a perfect passer in the Warriors system and being in a culture of unselfishness could improve his focus on the court.
The Mavericks would bring back two veterans but most importantly, a player of Kuminga’s ceiling who can defend, score, and move on the break. Kuminga fits in the long-term vision that includes Cooper Flagg, and a first-round pick in 2032 means they can add a key prospect moving forward as well. No doubt, the Warriors are major winners and Davis would give them a nearly untouchable Big Three that also includes pieces such as Brandin Podziemski, Al Horford, and Moses Moody.
Portland Trail Blazers
Proposed Trade Details
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Anthony Davis, Dante Exum
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Deni Avdija, Jerami Grant, Matisse Thybulle, 2031 first-round pick, 2031 second-round pick, 2032 second-round pick
The Trail Blazers are playing the long game while Damian Lillard recovers for next season, but adding Anthony Davis accelerates one last competitive window with their franchise icon. Pairing Davis with Lillard and Jrue Holiday instantly rebuilds a core that has playoff experience. Davis also becomes an ideal mentor for Scoot Henderson and a stabilizing presence for Shaedon Sharpe and Toumani Camara.
Portland gets a legitimate All-NBA caliber big without gutting their team, giving them flexibility to continue shaping the roster around Scoot’s long-term growth. Meanwhile, Dallas receives a return centered on youth and picks. Deni Avdija gives a defensive-minded forward (25.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 4.9 APG) who fits perfectly alongside Cooper Flagg as a connector and secondary playmaker.
Jerami Grant gives scoring and versatility on a movable contract, and Matisse Thybulle adds elite perimeter defense before hitting free agency next season. A first-round pick plus two second-rounders isn’t franchise-altering on its own, but combined with three rotation pieces, it gives Dallas plenty of depth.
Charlotte Hornets
Proposed Trade Details
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Anthony Davis, Dante Exum
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Miles Bridges, Collin Sexton, Grant Williams, 2029 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick, 2028 second-round pick, 2029 second-round pick
For the Hornets, this is the clearest move they can make to determine whether the LaMelo Ball era is the right one to proceed with. Anthony Davis gives Ball a dynamic lob partner and a player who can dominate the paint. If Davis stays healthy, the Hornets finally get the star big they’ve lacked since a prime David West.
Pairing him with Ball, Brandon Miller, and exciting rookie Kon Knueppel (16.7 PPG, 6.4 RPG) in a lineup gives Charlotte a final chance to see if this young core can break through before considering a complete blowup. Dallas’ return is centered on immediate help.
Miles Bridges (22.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG) and Grant Williams provide rugged frontcourt depth with complementary skill sets. Bridges brings shot creation and rebounding, Williams brings spacing and defense. Collin Sexton adds scoring and passing (15.8 PPG, 5.0 APG) to a backcourt that needs structure while Flagg develops.
The draft haul, two seconds and two first-rounders, bolsters Dallas’ future assets. That gives the Mavericks options while embracing the rebuild, and while it won’t be the best package they can dream of, it is one that has to be considered.
