Mavericks Predicted to Hold Onto Anthony Davis Past Trade Deadline

The NBA trade rumors around Anthony Davis have been all over the place. The Dallas Mavericks don’t seem quite sure if they want to hold onto him or trade him for pieces to build around Cooper Flagg. On top of that, Davis’ injury history and contract make him a difficult piece to move. Davis also went down with a hand injury recently that could jeopardize his ability to help a winning team contend this season. 

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report made his list of bold 2026 NBA trade predictions, and for the Mavericks, he predicted they won’t end up trading Davis. 

“Michael Scotto reported on the only exit ramp that might be left: "...several NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype predict he'll remain in Dallas past the trade deadline due to his decreased trade value, unless the Mavericks essentially want to salary dump him."

That feels increasingly possible, but the likelier outcome is the Mavericks revisiting suitors in the offseason, when there are a few more teams disappointed by early playoff exits and a few more months between this hand injury and negotiations with those suitors.”

Once Davis went down with the hand injury, everything changed. The incentive for good teams to try and add him before a playoff push, and the incentive for the Mavericks to get rid of him for anything lower than his maximum value, decreased.

If the Mavericks can effectively tank this season with Davis out and can develop Cooper Flagg, they are more likely to hold onto him until they can get a better price this offseason.