After back-and-forth reporting, the Mavericks have renewed trade talks for Anthony Davis, according to Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter video link).
Marc Stein, in a recent edition of The Stein Line, confirms this report (subscriber link), while adding that Dallas’ position regarding opposing teams’ offers is that they would rather keep Davis than trade him in a deal they don’t view as favorable in the long run. That could mean waiting until the summer, as the Suns did with Kevin Durant, in the hopes that a better offer materializes.
Charania and Stein both note that one of the prime motivators for the Mavs in the second half of the season will be securing the highest draft pick possible, as this is the last year Dallas owns its pick until 2031.
Because of that, while the Mavs have expressed optimism that Davis could return this season, seeing as the injury is to his non-shooting hand, they might hesitate to bring him back should that get in the way of their draft ambitions.
“For all intents and purposes, meaningful basketball in Dallas for Davis this season is over,” Charania said.
We have more from the Mavs:
- One thing further complicating the path to a Davis trade is the Mavs’ desire to reduce their luxury tax bill and avoid the second apron next season, Stein writes. Dallas has a luxury tax bill of around $31.9MM this season, thanks in large part to Davis’ $54.1MM deal. The Raptors are one of the teams rumored to be a leading candidate to trade for the big man, which Charania reiterated in his report today, but any deal would likely include the long-term money of RJ Barrett as well as one of Immanuel Quickley or Jakob Poeltl, which would fail to bring cap relief to Dallas.
- Naji Marshall has been rumored as a potential trade target for teams looking at the wing trade market. Stein confirms that teams have been inquiring about his availability, but writes that the Masvericks would prefer not to move the versatile 27-year-old, who has largely outplayed his contract value. Marshall is averaging 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in 28.7 minutes. Stein adds, though, that a trade that offered some level of salary relief to the Mavs would likely get consideration.
- Max Christie is now viewed by the Mavericks as part of the team’s long-term plans, writes Christian Clark of The Athletic. Christie, who has started 29 of 38 games, is averaging a career-high 12.3 points while shooting 44.1% from three and taking on tough defensive assignments on the perimeter. He’s also on a team-friendly deal, making $7.7MM this season and nearly $8.3MM next year, with a player option in the 2027/28 season. The next step in his development, from the team’s perspective, is increasing his three-point volume, as he’s taking a middling 5.4 attempts per game.