The Mavericks are said to be open to continuing Anthony Davis trade talks while the big man recovers from his hand injury, and agent Rich Paul would reportedly like to see a deal happen before the February 5 deadline. However, the market for Davis seems to have cooled in the wake of his latest injury, writes Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
The Hawks and Raptors have been the two teams mentioned most frequently this season as potential suitors for Davis, but both Eastern Conference clubs have been signaling that they’re no longer involved in significant trade discussions with the Mavericks, per Fischer. The Warriors also haven’t shown legitimate interest in pursuing the 32-year-old despite being linked to him earlier in the season, Fischer adds.
By all accounts, the Mavs won’t just send Davis to the highest bidder if they don’t get any offers to their liking, so unless Atlanta or Toronto circles back to the big man or another suitor emerges in the next week or two, it sounds like the odds of AD remaining in Dallas through the deadline are rising.
Here are a few more items of interest from Fischer:
- Fischer agrees with fellow Stein Line reporter Marc Stein, who wrote on Wednesday that the Warriors are unlikely to trade Jimmy Butler at the deadline following his season-ending ACL tear. Butler has been a positive presence in Golden State’s locker room and the Warriors believes he’ll help them next season, Fischer explains, so it doesn’t make sense to move him unless his maximum-salary contract would be necessary to land a superstar like Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo or Lakers forward LeBron James. Both of those players remain very much on Golden State’s radar, says Fischer, but aren’t considered probable trade candidates at this time and may not be in play until the offseason, at the earliest.
- The Raptors are signaling that they’re not pursuing Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, but they maintain interest in Kings center Domantas Sabonis, sources tell Fischer. Toronto’s apparent lack of interest in Morant was also reported this week by Michael Grange of Sportsnet.
- Multiple sources who spoke to Fischer believe Bulls center Nikola Vucevic is unlikely to be traded at the deadline. However, the veteran big man is expected to be a popular target on the free agent market during the offseason, Fischer writes, since he’s believed to be open to taking on a more “complementary” role in the right situation after having been a full-time starter for most of his career.
What team in their right minds is trading for AD and his contract?
I’ll wait.
Crickets
The rumors aren’t from teams wanting to trade him. They originate from Rich Paul trying to make something happen.
I’d trade him for Embiid. The one year shorter contract would be well worth it
I love your sarcasm, it belies your true basketball knowledge and shows your wittiness.
Pat was dead wrong in the way he tried to strong arm Jimmy Butler. Dead wrong!
It’s hard to accept for GSW they are done for many years to come.This is it.Klay knew it long time ago.Kerr don’t have a clue about basketball without Curry
Been hearing that for the past 5 years.
No. Klay wanted a change because he couldn’t handle that injuries had taken their toll. He was no longer a starter. His Mavs numbers show it.
warriors are not trading for Giannis or LeBron. MDJ already said he most likely no trades are going down. MPJ is no longer on tehir list since the Nets want a boat load for him. only person moving will be is Kuminga at the deadline for not a lot.
Look,FO’s not that stupid,if any of those trades will occure,Giannis,Ja,it’s got to be top short term contenders targets,in need of this season success.Otherwise those two are done,washed up financial liabilities,costing massive losses for future success.Looks like Bucks and Memphis will have to deal with their past bets till they’re gone