Following Nico Harrison‘s dismissal, Dallas Mavericks superstars Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving were identified as the next targets in potential trade discussions. While there was some back-and-forth regarding the Mavericks’ approach toward their superstar core, a recent report by insider Marc Stein provided more context to the situation.
Stein reported that the Mavericks remain open to accepting offers for Anthony Davis. However, he supplemented this by stating that Dallas wasn’t as keen on engaging in trade talks for Kyrie Irving.
“League sources say that the Mavericks still intend to field any trade interest in Davis that emerges over the next two-plus months … with the prospect of an actual trade obviously dependent on offer quality,” he wrote.
While noting Davis’ limited availability this season due to injury, he continued, “Sources say that the Mavericks, by contrast, are not encouraging trade inquiries for Kyrie Irving, who remains out indefinitely after undergoing knee surgery in late March. Already vibing nicely with prized rookie Cooper Flagg in practice settings, Irving is a player they hope to keep.”
The Mavericks’ intention to retain Irving isn’t surprising. Given the team’s glaring shortfall in the point guard rotation and D’Angelo Russell being put up for trade, Dallas needs to ensure that Kyrie Irving remains to maintain balance. While Irving’s return timeline seems uncertain after recent updates, it makes sense for the Mavericks to prioritize retaining him.
In comparison, Anthony Davis seems to be a more disposable asset. With a stacked frontcourt, the Mavericks may not suffer as much from losing Davis. With his recurring absences due to injury already keeping him out of the rotation, the Mavs would be better off trading him at this stage.
Could Anthony Davis Dominate In The East?
Among the several teams that Anthony Davis has been linked to in trade rumors, teams in the Eastern Conference appear to be quite appealing.
The notion of Davis heading East is quite intriguing. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon discussed on a recent episode of “Howdy Partners“, going so far as to say that Anthony Davis could tilt the balance of power in the conference.
“I’ve talked to people around the league about this. A healthy AD might just be able to tilt the balance of power in the Eastern Conference,” MacMahon said. “In the East, it’s pretty wide open. Put him on a Detroit, put him on an Atlanta, just to spitball a couple of teams here. If that guy’s healthy, he might be a guy that kind of pushes the team over the top in terms of being able to make a run through the East.”
MacMahon mentions the Detroit Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks, two of the top teams in the East. But considering that Davis has shown a preference for joining his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, there is a solid case for them to emerge as contenders, too.
When healthy, Anthony Davis remains one of the NBA’s elite players. Averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game on 52.0% shooting from the field, Davis has established himself as one of the best two-way big men in the game.
While there is some truth to MacMahon’s statement, it is worth noting that it hinges completely on Davis staying healthy. Considering that this has proven to be a challenge, the notion of acquiring the superstar comes with inherent risks.
