Dallas Reporter Reveals Mavs Potential Stance on Anthony Davis’ Future Amid Growing Trade Rumors

The Dallas Mavericks entered the 2024-25 season with sky-high expectations. After falling short in the 2024 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, fans were eager for another deep playoff run. Instead, the season has turned into an absolute nightmare.

It all started on Christmas Day when Luka Dončić suffered a calf injury, putting Dallas’ title hopes in serious jeopardy. But that was only the beginning. The real gut punch came shortly after—Dončić was traded to the Lakers.

In return, the Mavs got Anthony Davis, a move that was supposed to keep them competitive. Instead? Davis has played just one game—and now, the Mavericks are even considering shutting him down for the rest of the season.

With Kyrie Irving also out for the year after tearing his ACL, you’d think Dallas would just wave the white flag, tank the season, and reset for next year. But here’s the crazy part—you and I would both be wrong.

But Dallas isn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet. According to Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News, the Mavericks have no intention of shutting down Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, or Daniel Gafford. If they’re still in the mix for the play-in or playoffs and these guys get healthy, expect them back on the court.

Because AD looked like he was itching to get back in action during Sunday’s Mavericks-Suns game, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Stuck on the bench, he seemed more than ready to play. Over the weekend, he took a big step in his recovery, playing 2-on-2 for the first time since straining his left adductor on February 8—his Dallas debut.

League sources told Stein that Davis wasn’t the only one nearing a return. Dereck Lively, rehabbing a stress fracture in his right ankle, is also on track to be back before the season wraps up. As the Mavs hope to give it their all to make it to the playoffs, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps has a different idea.

He thinks they should move on now. Speaking on The Hoop Collective podcast, he didn’t hold back: “Anthony Davis should not be on the team next season. He should not be.”

Dallas wanted AD, and now they’re eager to get him back on the court. But Bontemps? He’s saying they’re better off flipping him for a massive trade package this summer. As crazy as it sounds, he insists it’s the only way to reset and build a genuine contender.

Since the 10x All-Star went down with a left adductor strain on Feb. 8, the Mavericks have gone 5-9 without him. The team feels his absence, but despite the rough stretch, Dallas (33-34) is still hanging onto the 10th seed—the final play-in spot in the West.

With 15 games left, they’re 2.5 games ahead of the 11th-place Suns, who are spiraling with a 3-7 record in their last ten. On top of that, Phoenix has one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league. If Dallas can hold the line, they might just survive the race for the postseason.

Or should they bet on the future?

Is the play-in spot worth it for the Mavs with injuries concerning Anthony Davis and others?

After a 126-116 road loss to the Spurs, the Mavericks now sit at 33-34 and have dropped eight of their last ten. Frankly, this season is turning into one of the biggest disappointments in Mavericks history. After high expectations built on the Dončić trade, injuries to stars like AD and Irving have wrecked the campaign. At this point, the best-case scenario might be simply missing the Play-In Tournament.

Here’s the twist: Dallas owns first-round draft picks for this year and next, and this year’s pick is like striking gold. Tanking now could boost their odds in the draft lottery, especially with a loaded class on the horizon. Watching your team intentionally lose isn’t exactly a thrill—kind of like enduring a bad reboot of your favorite show—but sometimes it’s the smartest long-term strategy.

If Dallas wants a fighting chance at the play-in, they’d need to get Davis, Lively II, and P.J. Washington back on the court. Yet, rushing injured players only risks more setbacks—Washington’s right ankle has been a nagging issue for weeks. And with Irving coming off an ACL tear and facing a player option, his future with the Mavericks is uncertain. With aging veterans and a roster unfit for a deep playoff run, building around a young, cost-controlled player might be the reset button they desperately need.