The Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade made no sense at the time that the Dallas Mavericks decided to do it. The Mavericks traded one of the best players in the NBA, who was just 25 years old at the time and less than a season removed from leading Dallas to an NBA Finals appearance, for a minimal return. The team added the often-injured Davis because they thought he better fit the roster and had a needed defensive mindset. Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick were the only other assets the Mavericks received.
It was considered one of the worst trades ever when it happened, and the test of time has only proven that true. Davis has played just 14 games with the Mavericks, and the mastermind behind the shocking trade, Nico Harrison, has already been fired. Even when on the court, Davis' fit hasn't been nearly as flawless as expected, especially with number one overall pick Cooper Flagg.
Now, reports are already suggesting that the Mavericks may have no choice but to flip Davis. He is on a disastrous contract, so trading him will be easier said than done. The Mavericks also don't want to feel like the Doncic trade was all for nothing. The Detroit Pistons are one team that could be interested in a Davis trade, as reported by Kendrick Perkins. So, what could a Davis-to-Detroit trade look like?
Pistons trade proposal for Anthony Davis
Pistons receive: Anthony Davis
Mavericks receive: Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart, Bobi Klintman, 2026 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick (top 20 protected)
The Pistons have been the best team in the Eastern Conference this year. They are 15-2 and have won 13 straight games. The franchise has only had that large of a win streak twice before, both during seasons in which Detroit ended the season as champions. With so many injuries out East, the conference is wide open, so the Pistons may be willing to make the moves for another championship push.
It is well known that trading for Davis is risky, but he is still one of the best players in the NBA when healthy, and his trade value is at an all-time low. Tobias Harris and Isaiah Stewart could be used in a deal to make the money work. Harris has been a better fit with the Pistons than he was with the Philadelphia 76ers, and Stewart is the team's enforcer.
However, neither of them are valuable enough to avoid making a trade for Davis. Furthermore, this deal only has one unprotected first-round pick being shipped out, and another one with a top-20 protection that wouldn't convey until 2029. That is a pretty measly offer for someone as talented as Davis.
The former number one pick does have 10 All-Star nods to his name. He is a ferocious shot blocker and has a unicorn-like skill set on offense. He can score in the post, off the bounce, or from the perimeter. The Pistons have impressed this year, but it was just two seasons ago that they had the longest losing streak in NBA history. They will likely need one more piece to truly contend for a championship.
Would the Mavericks really trade Anthony Davis?
Obviously, it was a mistake to trade for Davis. On top of the fact that losing Doncic is more than devastating, Davis' body is simply failing him, and he is locked into a $175 million deal through 2028. However, the Mavericks shouldn't be so quick to cut their losses. Even though the Davis experiment has been a nightmare, and the general manager who made the decision to trade for him is gone, the Mavericks can't give up on Davis this quickly for a number of reasons.
For starters, Kyrie Irving is currently sidelined. Dallas desperately needs his speed, shooting, and creation ability on a roster filled with interior players. The Mavericks should pursue a trade involving Dereck Lively or Daniel Gafford rather than Davis because the latter brings so much to the table when he is healthy, whereas Lively and Gafford don't offer a lot outside of rebounding, play-finishing, and rim protection. Moving one of those bigs could help bring balance to the roster, and in turn, the Mavericks could benefit in the win column.
Irving has had injury problems in his own right, and he is currently out with a torn ACL. Relying on two aging and injured veterans isn't a sustainable strategy, but a core of Irving, Davis, and Flagg could be enough to make one run in the next year or two. The Mavericks are trending toward picking near the top of the 2026 NBA Draft, too, so throw in a couple more rookies next season, and Dallas could be a surprisingly solid team.
More likely than not, this thing just isn't going to work with Davis and Dallas. With only 14 games in Dallas to his name, though, the Mavericks need to let him reestablish some value. This trade would do very little for the short or long-term outlook of the Mavericks. Moving on from Davis is likely an eventual inevitability, and getting off his contract is a plus in its own right, but it is too soon to jump ship just yet.
