A number of Eastern Conference contenders, including the Pistons, Hawks, and Raptors, are expected to be among the suitors for Mavericks big man Anthony Davis at this season’s trade deadline, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.
As Charania details, Atlanta, Toronto, and especially Detroit all look like potential playoff teams in a wide-open Eastern Conference, and may view Davis as the sort of player who could turn them into a legitimate championship contender.
Davis has battled injuries over the course of his career, especially since being traded from the Lakers to Mavericks at last season’s trade deadline. But he’s healthy now, having played in five of six games since returning from a calf strain late last month, including both ends of a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday.
In spite of a two-point outing in Oklahoma City last week, Davis has registered solid overall averages of 18.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.0 blocks in 28.4 minutes per night in his first five games back from that calf injury.
Potential suitors will likely be somewhat wary of Davis’ maximum-salary deal, which includes a $54.1MM cap hit this season and a $58.5MM salary in 2026/27, along with a $62.8MM player option for ’27/28. However, the Pistons, Hawks, and Raptors would each be capable of stacking contracts to send out enough outgoing salary to accommodate him.
A Detroit package would likely start with Tobias Harris‘ expiring salary ($26.6MM); Atlanta could offer Kristaps Porzingis‘ $30.7MM expiring salary; and Toronto could use RJ Barrett ($27.7MM), who has one additional year left beyond this one. Hawks guard Trae Young ($46MM) and Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley ($32.5MM) could also be trade candidates, depending on the structure of a deal.
The Pistons and Hawks would have more salary-matching leeway than the Raptors, who are operating just $1MM below the first apron and would have to match any incoming salary nearly dollar for dollar.
All three teams have plenty of tradable draft picks that could be used to sweeten potential offers. The Pistons and Raptors control all their own future first-rounders, while Atlanta has traded away its own 2027 pick but controls a pair of 2026 selections, including the most favorable of the Pelicans’ and Bucks’ first-rounders, which would be a guaranteed top-five pick if the season ended today.
Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who represents Davis, recently met with Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi, the Mavericks’ co-interim general managers and sought clarity about the team’s plans for his client, according to Charania. The Mavs’ lead executives conveyed to Paul that they’re keeping their options open for now and will make a decision based in part on how the club performs in the next few weeks.
Dallas hasn’t ruled out the idea of hanging onto Davis and extending him during the offseason, Charania notes.
If the hawks trade Young and keep Porzingis, AD could keep him company on the bench.
🤣🤣🤣
no thanks for raps
Chicago is the best destination for AD. KP is not going to Dalkas. AD is nkt extending in Toronto
Nobody who acquires him hopes or wants to extend him.
I’m not sure AD makes Bball sense for any of these teams much less salary cap management sense. Canaria making content imo.
Trae, Zacch & KP to Dallas for ADavis & Kyrie
Hawks get the dominant rebounder we desperately need along with 1 of the best defensive bigs & best scoring bigs in the world. We also upgrade from Trae to Kyrie. Ky fits our team much more than Trae bc he’s much better playing off the ball & he’s better defensively.
Dallas gets a young stud/fellow top pick forward to pair with Coop in Zacch. They also get an elite pg in his prime w/ strong Texas roots (Trae) & a guy in KP who should pair well with the rest of their frontcourt (Gafford/Lively).
Pels first is must if you want both Irving and Davis
In that scenario. Dallas just lets KP and Trae expire.
And wins.
$90mil in space.
a large portion , for a super duo from free agency.
Reaves, harden, dramond, Durant, etc.
Also receive 1st rounder from ATL and Zacc.
Also in your scenario for ATL.
Add $105 mil locked in to future contracts for 3 years.
Extentions for Dyson or johnson ?
Minus pick.
Minus Zach.
Kyries contract also increases from $36 to 40,42.
Pistons would be so dumb to do this
They won’t.
I actually think this would be a great pickup for Detroit and get them over the hump. They have plenty of big men and Davis can play the four next to Duran. Giving up Harris and a pick. Atl is not giving a pick up. Toronto just don’t understand and see the fit. On Detroit he is the 2nd best player and Davis Is actually a really good player. It’s his health and I think you can get away with sitting him nights with a rotation of Duran and Steward. I actually love that pick and roll with Cade. If they make that trade and Davis is healthy for the playoffs which he was the last 2 years before this year. I think Detroit would come off the East. They still have room for one more player.
I’m not sold on New York. Orlando has to stay healthy. So it’s Detroit’s if they can make one pretty good altering move and I think this is it.
I haven’t watched Detroit. They were a mess. On paper, seems perfect. Seems like a group that would want to win more than anything. Giannis has proven he is a #1 that can will a championship. What’s the downside?
You have to give to much up for Giannis. Plus not really sure about the fit. He needs the ball in his hands and a big that can shoot. If I was Detroit I go for Davis and you beat the Knicks in the playoffs if he is healthy
The Raps would be crazy to move Quickley in a deal for AD. His defensive game is developing and they really don’t have another ball handler like him. The team is starting to gel this year and you’re seeing real progress for the first time in years and you’re gonna disrupt that for an injury prone overpaid PF/C? It would be a premature, short sighted move to say the least. Let the chemistry build this year and evaluate in the off season.
Shams, dont forget to tell Rich Paul thanks for this info.
$50 worth of salary of players to trade for AD.
Then pay AD $60 for years later.
Color me skeptical.
Many of the players mentioned, could be considered expiring deals also.
Get off of AD’s contract. Any team, any way. The only way is bad for bad.
TYoung, Porzingis, Tobias harris, etc. are not bad contracts per se. They could be expiring if needed.
Let’s consider, if a team had cap space to outright sign AD for $60 x 3 years?
No. Not ever?
Then why would a team do that and ALSO give up value or picks?
Shady shady.
No agent is going to float rumors for a trade from Texas to Toronto. The tax increase alone would discourage that. It’s more likely Dallas is pushing this to leverage teams for a bigger trade return than they otherwise would get.
You pay tax where you play each game, yes it would be an increase when playing more games in Toronto but it’s pocket change for these guys with generational wealth.
Not true. We’ve seen many athletes mention it. It still stands that most athletes don’t want to live in Toronto anyway. Rich Paul has no reason to make up rumors to get his client traded. AD literally waived a trade kicker to get to Dallas and I highly doubt he would do that for Toronto. The Dallas front office has every incentive to drum up interested suitors to increase the return though.
I swear the IQ of fans on this website and NBA as a whole is extremely low
Wow Pistons would be an intriguing place. I get there has to be AD rumors. Especially after Nico getting canned. I don’t see Dallas just giving him away.
I just said this. Al I know you love the Knicks but AD on Detroit is scary good. If I’m Detroit I do Tobias Harris and one first round pick. I don’t see Dallas getting a better offer only from Toronto. Atl Don’t really have any good pics to give up and they just gave up a bunch of pics so it’d be foolish when you’re not on top team or already Anthony Davis doesn’t put you or the top. Feel like he push Detroit over the top. Toronto not sure what they are trying to do. They already had Ingram so Anthony Davis. I’m not sure that pairing and why would Dallas take? RJ, Barrett or Emmanuel quickly unless they’re getting two or three pics with it
I don’t like the deal for the Stones, but Tobias has been hurt a lot recently, so who knows how it would play out. I would be more worried about the player option, which means 2/$120 after this year…sheesh! Side note, Dallas is crazy if they think he’s bringing back multiple first-round picks. He’s almost like a salary dump at this point.
Oh. Does Anthony Davis still play? LOL
Yeah, something tells me that no one is going to “take a $50M per szn chance” on AD… fool me once…
Funny if Dallas flips for Trae Young. Full circle.
Toronto would be making the biggest mistake of their season if they messed with the sauce they are currently cooking with. Don’t fix what isn’t broke!
One click of a button, stroke of a pen, and years of good work down the crapper.
Pistons should not mess with what they have currently. They look great and honestly don’t like the deals for the other two teams either.
Raptors won’t work with Scottie, Poeltl and CMB all on long term deals, that would be hideous. Atlanta, Trae is worth more but if it’s KP and Kennard plus bits sure that’s fine.
I personally like the more outside the box suggestions like these:
As a Sixers fan I’d lowkey love us to be in the running and give up either Embiid or PG, can throw in McCain or a pick maybeeee.
AD is a healthier version of Embiid who still plays defence. Joel is just a banged up free throw merchant. PG he’s fine but having ADs size would be a massive advantage.
Washington would be nice. Dallas can have CJ and whatever else or could do a 2 for 2 with Klay and Middleton.
Klay Coulibaly AD Sarr could work in the wide open east. Dallas gets out of the contracts and CJ might provide a spark in the backcourt to get something happening.
Clippers, don’t know if they have any trade able picks but I mean you’re basically all in on winning but suck. The window looks like it’s 2 years with no one on big long term money.
Collin’s, Bogi and whatever gives them a big 3 of Harden Kawhi and AD. Still have Zu, DJJ, Dunn, BLopez and Batum. Real unc squad but wouldn’t write them off if healthy.
Pelicans, they have some pieces to make a deal but doesn’t move the needle enough to make them contenders. AD returning would be cool, think he’d be a perfect vet for Derrick Queen. If you could keep Trey and Herb as well that would make an awesome team once Dejounte returns.
Murray Trey Herb AD Queen
Dallas should offer a trade of Washington, Gafford, Caleb Martin, D Russell and D Exum for a veteran SF and veteran C.
Then promote Nembhard and Cisse.
Draft young 18-19 year olds to develop with Flagg next draft.
Flagg and Lively to the bench for some games
Do not waive and stretch anymore contracts
Maybe fire Jason Kidd too
Dallas gets
Nikola Vučević
Demar DeRozan
Dennis Shroeder
Kings gets
Patrick Williams
PJ Washington
D Russel
Chicago get
Daniel Gafford
Caleb Martin
D Exum
Cash from both teams
Draft picks from both teams
Who says no?
AD has trade value? Huh
Raps should pursue Giannis or Markkanen…
Luka, Vanderbilt, Rui, Vincent, Hayes and Kleber to Dallas for Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg and Irving
Still working on it but joking really. It would make things right