The Dallas Mavericks could certainly use 10-time All-Star selection Anthony Davis, given their rugged 3-8 start to the 2025-26 season. Having suited up for five contests, he’s averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. Unable to generate consistent firepower, the veteran big man would help stabilize an offense that’s last in the NBA in points per game (107.2).
Patrick Dumont Takes Ownership In Anthony Davis’ Medical Decisions
Davis’ return from a left calf strain that he sustained on Oct. 29 won’t come as quickly as initially hoped or planned, though. Increasingly cautious Mavs owner Patrick Dumont has put a halt to Davis’s attempts to get back on the court, requiring “medical data indicating that [he] is not at risk of aggravating his left calf strain before giving a green light,” according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
This news comes on the heels of the Mavericks’ firing of the individual who orchestrated the infamous trade that brought Davis to Dallas, former general manager and president Nico Harrison.
Harrison was also supportive of Davis’ return despite the risk of re-injury. Bearing that in mind, the original injury report suggests the Mavs hoped that he’d be out for two games.
It’s now been seven.
Sources: Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont has requested medical data indicating that Anthony Davis is not at risk of aggravating his left calf strain before giving a green light for the 10-time All-Star big man to return. Will miss seventh straight game tonight.
— Tim MacMahon (@BannedMacMahon) November 12, 2025
Their motivation to keep Davis healthy may not be solely to ensure he can suit up in a Mavericks uniform without another extended interruption, though.
Dallas and Davis are expected to work together to determine whether to pursue an in-season trade, per The Stein Line’s Marc Stein. In fact, competitors are discussing the possibility that Dallas moves on from him.
Given the Mavs entered the season hyping up the veterans that 2025 No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg can lean on, the way they’ve soured on Davis likely reflects their distaste for Harrison. After all, Davis was the headliner of the Luka Doncic deal.
Harrison’s insistence that defense wins championships drew the ire of millions who were impressed by Doncic’s offense. Surely, Davis’s defense couldn’t be significant enough for them to trade the Don.
Ironically, the Mavericks are ranked eighth in opponents’ points per game (113.5) and third in defensive rating (110.7). It’s their highest ranking in either category since the 2021-22 season.
Before their 2021-22 campaign, the last time that Dallas had a top-10 ranking in opponent’s points per game and defensive rating was 2010-11, the season that they won their lone NBA championship.
With Davis back, they might actually look like a competent NBA team.
