The NBA trade deadline is now less than a month away, and plenty of big names have been featured in rumors. One of the more interesting teams to watch is the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks have struggled this season and are reportedly considering making Trae Young available. One NBA insider recently mentioned that the Hawks and Dallas Mavericks have had trade talks, but the focus has been on another star, not Young.
Anthony Davis Could Be on the Move as Mavericks Explore Trade Talks with Hawks
Anthony Davis was the main prize the Mavericks received from the Los Angeles Lakers in the infamous Luka Doncic trade a year ago. Davis is still a fine player, but his injury problems and expensive contract don’t make the most sense on a rebuilding team.
As a result, NBA insider Chris Haynes expects the Mavericks to move the aging star. Haynes revealed that the Hawks and Mavericks have had some “back and forth” trade discussions about Davis.
“Anthony Davis is a guy expected to be on the move,” Haynes explained. “We’ve been hearing about Dallas and Atlanta. There’s been some back and forth between those two ball clubs, but I’m told there is nothing imminent on that front.”
Haynes also mentioned that the Mavericks would want “a nice, promising young player,” and expiring contracts for Davis. The Hawks could seemingly make that work, as Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kennard have expiring contracts, while former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher could be a nice reclamation project for the Mavericks.
Chris Haynes update on Anthony Davis
“Anthony Davis is a guy expected to be on the move. We been hearing about Dallas and ATL. There’s been some back and forth between those two ball clubs… Dallas wants some expiring and a nice promising young player”pic.twitter.com/V4eqECGrqa
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) January 7, 2026
Davis is currently playing on a three-year, $175,369,698 contract he signed with the Lakers. The veteran big man has a $54 million cap hit this season, a $58 million cap hit next season, and a player option worth $62.7 million in 2027-28.
Davis is averaging 20.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 18 games this season.
Multiple Star Players Rumored to be Trade Candidates
While we know the Mavericks are open to moving Davis, the big man isn’t the only star who could be on the move. Trae Young, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Porter Jr., and Jonathan Kuminga are just some of the names who have been floated in rumors.
The Hawks have struggled this season and could be looking to shake up the roster. Since the Hawks want to trade Young and the Mavericks want to trade Davis, would a trade involving those players be possible?
Technically, a one-for-one swap of Young for Davis would work financially. The Mavericks could certainly use a point guard, as they will still be without Kyrie Irving for a while. The teams are in discussion, so it will be interesting to see if anything materializes.
