“Anthony Davis should not be on the team next season. He should not be.” This is how ESPN’s veteran insider Tim Bontemps has a major request for Dallas Mavericks’ GM, Nico Harrison. But why his suggestion? Now, this is a bold move that could shake up the core of the team. If Dallas hopes to make a legitimate run at the championship next season. A move like this would signal a major shift in strategy, especially after the team traded away Luka Doncic in a controversial move. But Bontemps believes it’s the right one.

Imagine this: trading away your star player, then trading away the one you just got in return. It sounds absurd, right? But that’s exactly what the Mavericks might need to do this summer. With their playoff hopes hanging at the 10th seed, along with an ever-growing list of injuries, the Mavs are at a crossroads.

But let’s take a look at what’s going on with the team right now. Ahead of the big matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Mavs are facing not one but multiple injury concerns that might leave them with a slim chance of even staying competitive.

Dallas Mavericks Injury Report – Will Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively play against the Grizzlies?

The Mavs’ injury list isn’t short, and some players who were supposed to lead the team are now sidelined for various reasons. Here’s the latest rundown of who is out and what the team has to work with:

1. Anthony Davis (PF) – Out

AD, who’s been struggling with an adductor injury that was sustained in his debut match against the Houston Rockets, has not played since. However, after the Mavs’ three back-to-back losses, it’s high time they need him. But as of now as he is listed as “out”. Reports indicate weekly evaluations, but his uncertain status keeps the team anxious. His absence against the Grizzlies could be a critical blow.

With him being back on the injury list makes what Bontemps said clear. The veteran isn’t convinced the Davis experiment will work. Well, if you look at AD’s injury history, you will get why he says so. Here the fact that the team isn’t winning anything with him, the best move for Dallas might be to trade him away this summer and rebuild for the future. With the pressure mounting and the team facing another injury crisis, it might be time for the Mavs to hit the reset button.

2. Daniel Gafford (C) – Out

Another crucial missing piece of the Mavericks’ puzzle, Gafford has been sidelined after suffering from a knee issue against the Sacramento Kings. The team reported that he’s “showing progress,” but he won’t be re-evaluated for another two weeks. His absence is another hit for a team already struggling to find consistency.

3. Dereck Lively II (C) – Out

Lively, who’s been a bright spot for the Mavs this season, is also battling through an injury caused against the Denver Nuggets. He’s progressing after a recent ankle re-evaluation but has yet to return to team practices. The Mavericks’ hopes of defending against the Grizzlies’ powerful frontcourt could be in jeopardy without him.

4. Kai Jones (PF) – Out

Jones is also listed as “out” for the upcoming game, with a quad injury keeping him off the court. With multiple key big men unavailable, looks like the Mavericks will continue to with Dwight Powell for solutions.

5. Caleb Martin (SF) – Out

Caleb Martin is also out for the Mavericks’ upcoming game against the Grizzlies. His hip injury has kept him sidelined, and with his status marked as “out,” it’s uncertain when he’ll be back.

6. Olivier-Maxence Prosper (F) – Out

The injury woes continue with Prosper, who has been ruled out for the game due to a right wrist sprain. Losing him also means a lack of depth, especially in the forward positions.

7. P.J. Washington (PF) – Out

Washington, battling an ankle injury, will also miss the Grizzlies game. His absence further depletes the Mavs’ frontcourt options and heightens their vulnerability.

8. Dante Exum (G) – Day-to-Day

Exum is the only relief. With him currently listed as “questionable” with a foot issue gives a huge hope among the other 9 players. But, if he isn’t cleared to play, it’ll leave the Mavs even thinner in the backcourt as they try to put together a competitive lineup.

9. Jaden Hardy (G) – Out

Hardy, who sustained an ankle injury, is also expected to be out for an undetermined amount of time. His absence means the Mavs will need to rely on their remaining guards to step up and fill the void.

10. Kyrie Irving (PG) – Out

Kyrie Irving’s situation has become even more dire as he sustained a torn ACL during the Mavericks’ loss to the Kings. The tear has effectively ended his season and further complicates Dallas’ chances of staying competitive. However, with him being injured brings another ongoing trouble or rather concerns over the future.

Kyrie Irving – A $44 Million Dilemma

After being traded to Dallas in 2023, Irving had just begun to develop chemistry with Luka Doncic. But when the Slovenian guard was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Irving became the heart and soul of the Mavs. Now that he is injured, this is beyond disappointment, this injury now threatens his future with the Mavericks.

The 9× NBA All-Star holds a player option for $44 million in 2026, but his torn ACL complicates everything. He could opt in, renegotiate, or even sign elsewhere. It’s a difficult position for both him and the team. His injury may push the Mavs to rethink their strategy for the future. Could they agree on a long-term deal despite the risks?

CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn has floated an interesting contract template for Kyrie Irving, drawing comparisons to Rudy Gobert’s recent deal with the Timberwolves. Gobert declined a $46.6 million option in favor of a longer contract with a lower immediate cap hit, securing long-term financial stability.

Quinn believes Irving could take a similar route, especially given the uncertainty of hitting free agency in 2026 while recovering from an ACL tear. “Irving, given the risk of entering free agency in 2026 coming off of an ACL tear, would probably be amenable to something like that, and by locking him in long-term, the Mavericks would probably have an easier time convincing him to be cautious when it comes to his recovery timeline,” Quinn explained.

For the Mavs, this approach could provide financial flexibility while ensuring Irving takes the necessary time to return at full strength.

If the Mavericks commit to a long-term deal with Kyrie Irving, they’ll have to navigate a high-risk situation due to his injury. Should he opt into his $44 million player option for the 2025-26 season, he’d take up 28.9% of the team’s salary cap—a massive chunk. But if he chooses to opt out, it could give the team more financial flexibility.

At 32, Irving would become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026-27 season, adding even more uncertainty to the Mavs’ long-term plans. And that’s where things get tricky. The front office can’t afford to mishandle the situation, especially given how the Luka Doncic trade played out.

As ESPN’s Tim MacMahon put it, “If you do Kyrie wrong after the way the Luka trade went down, and let’s just be frank, the franchise dumped on him on the way out, boy, that’s going to be awfully tough to overcome.” The Mavs need to tread carefully, or they risk more than just financial headaches—they could lose trust within the locker room.

Mishandling Irving could tarnish the Mavs’ reputation for years, and with the franchise already dealing with major challenges, Harrison has no room for error. The Mavericks are at a crossroads, and the decisions they make now will shape their future.

Keeping Kyrie Irving makes sense for the Mavericks—he’s been a crucial piece since arriving in Dallas. But with questions surrounding his health and future, the team is facing a tough call. Letting him go could jeopardize their playoff hopes, making it essential to find a solution, one way or another.

The road ahead isn’t a simple one. If the Mavericks want to stay competitive, they’ll have to make some difficult choices. Whether it’s figuring out Kyrie’s contract or making a bold move—like potentially trading Anthony Davis—Dallas is at a crossroads. Right now, they’re teetering on the edge, and their playoff chances this season remain uncertain. One thing is clear, though: time is running out for the Mavericks to get this right.