Anthony Davis’ Injury Issues Put Mavericks in a Difficult Trade Situation

When the Dallas Mavericks made the bold decision to move on from Luka Dončić and bring in Anthony Davis, the franchise hoped it was positioning itself for a reset built around an established superstar. Instead, persistent injury problems have quickly turned the move into a complicated dilemma—one that NBA insider Marc Stein says now places Dallas in a “difficult trade situation.”

Davis’ Injuries Have Become a Major Obstacle

Since joining the Mavericks, Davis has struggled to remain available. He has already dealt with an adductor strain, a detached retina, and a recent calf issue. These setbacks have limited him to just five appearances this season, far from what Dallas anticipated when they handed him the keys to the franchise.

Even in the limited games he has played, Davis is averaging 20.8 points per game—below his career mark—suggesting he may still be working through physical limitations. For a team already under pressure to compete, these inconsistent performances only deepen the concerns.

Marc Stein: Mavericks Have Almost No Leverage

Speaking on the All NBA Podcast, Marc Stein broke down the Mavericks’ biggest problem: teams around the league won’t offer much for a star they can’t rely on.

“If Dallas wants to field trade interest in Anthony Davis, they’re doing it from such a difficult position because he’s not been on the floor. That makes it difficult to get anywhere near the value that Dallas would be hoping for.”

In simple terms: Davis’ injury track record has become a liability, and any potential trade partner will take that into account. That leaves the Mavericks stuck—unable to move him for a meaningful return without absorbing a major loss.

Team Struggles Making Situation Even Worse

Dallas’ season woes extend far beyond Davis:

• The team is struggling in the Western Conference standings.
• Rookie Cooper Flagg shows promise but is still adjusting to the NBA pace.
• Klay Thompson hasn’t found consistency.
• Kyrie Irving remains out due to an ACL injury.

These compounding problems reduce the team’s flexibility and make it even harder for the front office to reshape the roster.

Did the Mavericks Miscalculate?

With hindsight, it’s easy to see the risks Dallas took when they traded for Davis. His injury history was well documented, and expecting him to lead a fresh era may have been too optimistic. Now, they face a scenario where holding onto him is risky, yet trading him may provide little relief.

The Mavericks must now decide whether to:

• Double down and hope Davis eventually returns to full health
• Move him for pennies on the dollar and fully embrace a rebuild
• Attempt a hybrid approach that reshapes the roster without moving AD

Conclusion: A Franchise at a Crossroads

Anthony Davis was supposed to be the centerpiece of a new Mavericks chapter. Instead, his ongoing injury issues have placed Dallas in a high-risk, low-reward bind. As Marc Stein highlights, the franchise now faces the daunting reality that trading Davis may not return the assets they hoped for.

No matter what direction they take next, the Mavericks will have to navigate the fallout of a blockbuster gamble that has yet to pay off.