Dallas Mavericks superstar Anthony Davis has garnered a lot of interest in the trade market as of late. Among the many teams Davis has been linked with, the Golden State Warriors displayed a lot of promise as a potential landing spot.
While this was noteworthy, a recent update by NBA insider Jake Fischer suggests that there are only two teams in the NBA that have expressed legitimate interest in the big man, and the Warriors aren’t one of them.
“Elsewhere, we keep hearing Toronto is still involved in AD,” Fischer stated. “And there are going to be other teams, too, that check in on it. 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.”
“With Toronto, their interest only has to grow the longer Jakob Poeltl is out due to injury, and the future of Toronto’s frontcourt, both right now, and in the long term,” Fischer added. “What the Raptors think of him [Poeltl] moving forward will be as pertinent to anything the Raptors pursue in any Anthony Davis trade.”
According to Fischer’s report, although the Warriors’ interest in acquiring Anthony Davis has been noted, it is clear that they aren’t as committed to pursuing him as some of the other teams in the league.
While Davis could be a major boost to their roster, acting as a versatile defensive presence on the inside as well as an effective scorer on offense, Golden State may seek an alternative approach to improve its roster.
Which Could Benefit More From Acquiring Anthony Davis?
The Toronto Raptors suffered a major blow to their rotation after Jakob Poeltl was sidelined with an injury. Given their current position (4th in the East), the Raptors are likely to capitalize on this opportunity to make a deep playoff run.
On paper, Anthony Davis could be a tremendous addition for Toronto. Barring his injury issues, Davis’ defensive skill set blends with the team’s current makeup. When considering the roles played by Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes, Davis would also have a smaller role to play on offense, giving him more flexibility in the rotation.
While posing as a promising fit, the drastic reduction in offensive involvement may not be viewed favorably by Davis, who is still a superstar in every sense. With this in mind, a move to the Atlanta Hawks may seem more intriguing.
The Hawks were initially viewed as one of the most competitive teams in the East following their large-scale roster-building efforts this offseason. Unfortunately, due to injuries and problems involving Trae Young, Atlanta may be on the verge of changing directions.
The Hawks’ interest in acquiring Davis to rejuvenate their chances of contending this year seems genuine. Although initial reports suggested that any trade package for Davis wouldn’t include Young, recent updates may suggest otherwise. With the Mavericks’ interest also being piqued, a move could be in the works.
Considering Davis’ averages of 20.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game this season, he has effectively displayed his impact on both ends of the floor. Pairing an elite big man with a talented young star like Jalen Johnson could help Atlanta turn its season around. With the deadline only a month away, the Hawks could be expected to make a legitimate attempt at acquiring Anthony Davis.
