Mark Cuban: “We won’t” trade Anthony Davis — Mavericks say they want to try to win
Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban publicly rejected recent trade speculation about Anthony Davis, writing that the franchise does not intend to move the 10-time All-Star and instead “wants to try to win.”
Cuban’s comments, first reported by multiple outlets on Nov. 19–20, 2025, come amid a difficult early stretch for the Mavericks (a poor start to the 2025–26 season) and front-office changes that have ramped up speculation about the team’s short- and long-term direction. For full context, see coverage from NBC Sports and the Dallas Morning News.
"We won't. We want to try to win." — Mark Cuban
Why the rumors started
Trade chatter intensified after the Mavericks moved on from general manager Nico Harrison, and after questions about Davis' availability and the club’s win-loss record. Reports indicated other teams expected Dallas to at least explore the market for Davis; Cuban’s statement directly contradicts those expectations. (Read reporting from Reuters and Bleacher Report.)
Injury update: left calf strain
Anthony Davis has been sidelined with a left calf strain since Oct. 29. The Mavericks announced he will be re-evaluated in 7–10 days, with team officials saying his recovery is making “good progress.” Medical caution appears to be a priority after internal disagreement about return timelines, which also played into front-office tensions. For the timeline and team statements, see ESPN and the team's updates summarized by HoopsRumors.
What Mark Cuban’s stance means
Cuban — who remains an influential adviser to Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont — indicated the franchise currently prefers to keep Davis and contest games rather than trade for immediate assets or enter a rebuild. That choice keeps Dallas tethered to a high-salary, high-impact player who has shown elite production when healthy but who has an injury history that complicates trade value and roster flexibility.
League sources and rival executives had expected Dallas to at least test the market; Cuban’s public comment signals a willingness to reject offers that do not meet the club’s competitive goals. Keeping Davis now is a bet that he will return to form and help the Mavericks improve during the season rather than a signal of long-term commitment beyond this campaign.
Risks and next steps
- Health risk: Rushing Davis back could cause further injury; team medical staff and governor Patrick Dumont appear to be prioritizing conservative care. See the team's official PR and reporting from DallasNews.
- Market value: Continued absences or mediocrity could lower Davis' trade value if Dallas reconsiders before the deadline.
- Front office: Interim basketball operations leadership will evaluate options while the Mavericks search for a permanent general manager.
Sources: NBC Sports, ESPN, Reuters, Dallas Morning News, HoopsRumors, Bleacher Report (reporting updated Nov. 19–20, 2025).
Reporting note: This article summarizes the most recent public comments from team ownership and official injury updates as of Nov. 20, 2025. Links above direct to primary coverage and team statements.
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