The trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks shocked the NBA world, but according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, it might’ve been in the works longer than anyone realized. On a recent episode of The Lowe Post, the veteran insider shared that Davis’ move to Dallas wasn’t a source of drama behind the scenes, even for Klutch Sports, the agency that represents both AD and LeBron James.
“I don’t even think Klutch was mad about Anthony Davis going to Dallas,” Lowe said. “AD and Nico Harrison have been close for a long time. I think that was sort of on their long-term radar anyway.”
It’s been months since the blockbuster deal, and we’re still discovering new details on how it all played out. Surprisingly, while the entire league was caught off guard, Davis had his eyes set on the Mavericks for years, and he might have ended up there naturally as a free agent in 2027.
Of course, the Mavericks didn’t have to wait that long.
The seeds were planted when GM Nico Harrison, in the wake of the Doncic trade, initiated conversations with the Lakers about a new franchise centerpiece. As a former Nike executive, he’s built a relationship with many NBA players, including Davis, who has an exclusive, long-standing endorsement deal with the company.
After struggling to establish their culture from within, Nico knew what his team needed and targeted Anthony Davis to take the franchise to the next level. Due to his competitiveness and work ethic, the Mavericks believe he has enough talent, leadership skills, and championship experience to return them to title contention. The early returns have been mixed.
While Davis was dominant on the court last season (24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game), he only played nine games for Dallas before he was sidelined with an adductor strain in his debut. He did eventually return in the final stretch of the season, but it was too late for the Mavericks to make a lasting playoff run.
While Davis’ initial run with the Mavs didn’t go exactly as planned, both he and Klutch Sports seem optimistic about where things are headed. At 32 years old, the former No. 1 pick still has several elite years left, and Dallas has provided a situation where he’s surrounded by familiar faces, including Nico Harrison, Kyrie Irving, and rising phenom Cooper Flagg.
With a full offseason to regroup and recover, Davis will enter the 2025–26 season healthy, motivated, and ready to lead. If he can stay on the floor and help establish a strong culture in Dallas, the Mavericks’ gamble could pay off in a major way, especially if the chemistry with Flagg and Irving clicks.
Beyond his on-court impact, Davis brings a level of credibility and veteran presence the Mavericks have lacked since the Dirk Nowitzki era. His voice in the locker room, championship pedigree, and two-way dominance are exactly what this team needs as it tries to forge a new identity post-Luka. If Davis embraces the mantle in Dallas, this could become the defining chapter of his career and the moment the Mavericks finally turn the corner.
