Mavs Fans Brace for Potential Anthony Davis Trade Fallout

The Dallas Mavericks (Mavs) are in a pretty tough spot. After making a huge splash last season, trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers, things haven’t exactly clicked. Now, whispers of a trade involving Anthony Davis are making the rounds. And honestly, it sounds like a move that could really infuriate fans.

Fans are already on edge. There were “Fire Nico!” chants after some tough losses early in the season, according to ESPN reporting. The team started poorly, dropping games to teams like the Spurs and Wizards. It’s a rough scene in Dallas right now. Many remember that big February 2025 trade. Dallas sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, some other pieces, and a No. 1 draft pick that turned into Cooper Flagg. So Davis is a pretty big deal.

The Anthony Davis Dilemma for Dallas

So, what’s happening with Davis? Well, the Mavericks are out of the play-in picture in a super tough Western Conference. Kyrie Irving’s return is more hope than reality right now. This means if Dallas makes a big move before the trade deadline, it’s probably going to be about selling, not buying. There just isn’t enough optimism to bring in another big name.

A major subtraction, though? That seems pretty likely. But the Mavericks would really need to get a good return. Anthony Davis has been playing well, boosting his trade value a bit. However, his injury history and his big contract might make his market a bit murky. Sources like The Smoking Cuban suggest his value might not be high enough to make losing him worth it. Davis was the main guy they got back in the Doncic deal, remember? Losing him for cheap would be a huge blow.

Detroit Pistons as a Potential Trade Partner

If the Mavs do decide to sell, a team like the Detroit Pistons could be a good call. A lot of sellers would love to get assets from Detroit. Especially since other teams with lots of good picks, like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, seem happy with their rosters and don’t want to mess things up.

But here’s the problem for Dallas. Because Davis’s trade market isn’t super clear, the Mavericks probably wouldn’t get any of Detroit’s *best* assets. We’re talking no Ausar Thompson. No Jalen Duren. No Ron Holland III. And no Isaiah Stewart. They also wouldn’t get a first-round pick so far in the future that it would outlast Cade Cunningham’s time or change hands after Detroit might need to cut core players. It’s a tough pill to swallow, really.

The “Infuriating” Return Package

What would Detroit offer, then? Well, it wouldn’t be insulting for the Pistons. Jaden Ivey has shown flashes of good scoring and creating when he’s healthy. He could actually fit well with Cooper Flagg long-term, you know? And an unprotected first-round pick is always interesting, because you never know how high its value could go. Like how smart the Pacers look now for getting their 2026 first back, apparently.

Then there’s Tobias Harris. He’s a proven veteran and a plug-and-play guy. Dallas could even flip him again for more assets before the deadline. Or if that doesn’t happen, his $26.6 million expiring salary would give them financial relief. Caris LeVert is another piece. He could offer $14.8 million in relief after next season, or maybe even play well enough to be moved for an asset or two. This package, as some have discussed on Mavs YouTube channels, could be “rock-solid.” But the Mavericks really need to aim higher than that.

After trading Doncic for Davis, Davis is now seen as the Mavs’ best chance to get more tools for their roster. If the Detroit package is all he brings back, fans probably would just rather keep him. They’d rather hope Kyrie gets healthy and gives Flagg a real chance to compete for something significant. It’s a critical moment for the Mavericks’ front office, and they really can’t afford to make another move that leaves the fanbase feeling burned. The NBA trade landscape is always shifting, as NewsNow reports, with lots of star players moving around. Dallas needs to be smart here.