According to a joint report by TA reporters Joe Varden, Christian Clark, and Sam Amick, Anthony Davis is highly likely to be the next Mavericks player to leave the team.

Since acquiring Anthony Davis in the Luka Doncic trade in February 2025, the Dallas Mavericks have been mired in unprecedented difficulties—a persistent slump in performance and a string of injuries, leading to fan discontent and protests. Walden and others have clearly pointed out that while new Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont initially placed great trust in general manager Nico Harrison, he ultimately decided to part ways with him under pressure from various quarters.

For the Mavericks, rebuilding their roster around 2025's number one draft pick, Cooper Flagg, is considered one of the most viable options. With the Mavericks urgently needing to adjust their strategy, the likelihood of Anthony Davis being put on the trading block has increased dramatically. Since joining the Mavericks, he has been plagued by injuries, playing only 14 regular-season games to date, averaging 20.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.

Davis's high salary is also a significant factor in the Mavericks' management's consideration of a trade. His salary this season is $54.1 million, which will reach $58.5 million next season, with a $62.8 million player option for the 2027/28 season. Coupled with his injury history, Davis's current contract severely limits the Mavericks' flexibility in terms of salary cap space.

Nevertheless, when healthy, Davis remains one of the most dominant players in the NBA. As the number one overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, he has played 794 regular season games for the New Orleans Hornets, New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks, averaging 24.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game, with a 52.2% field goal percentage and a 29.5% three-point percentage.

In the playoffs, Davis played a total of 60 games, averaging 26.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.3 steals, and won the 2020 NBA championship with the Lakers.