Anthony Davis Heads Back to LA in This Trade Idea

The Dallas Mavericks might be cutting ties with their star big man. Cooper Flagg has emerged as a young star, and having an older veteran like Davis on the roster just makes less sense now. The Anthony Davis trade rumors are starting to pick up. 

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report recently came up with "The Best 5 Anthony Davis Landing Spots and Trade Ideas," and one of his Davis trade ideas would send Davis back to LA, but this time to the rival Los Angeles Clippers.

"John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanović, Derrick Jones Jr., Chris Paul, and first-round pick swaps in 2031 and 2032

After a disastrous start to the 2025–26 campaign, Kawhi Leonard activated his 2019 playoffs mode and has dragged the Los Angeles Clippers back into play-in range.

And with a bunch of mid-size, movable contracts, they actually have a decent shot at getting in on the AD sweepstakes.

Injuries (and in Chris Paul's case, a lack of continuity with the team and coaching staff) have already kept three of these outgoing Clippers out of the rotation for most of this season. So, this mostly boils down to John Collins and those far-flung pick swaps for Davis.

And though he wouldn't be back until the postseason, a trio of James Harden, Leonard, and Davis could be a tough out in the postseason."

Would the Mavericks even be interested in taking on John Collins? That is probably what would hold up this trade from happening. If they were open to it, the Clippers would certainly love the chance to add another aging superstar to their roster.