The Detroit Pistons are off to a dream start in the 2025–26 NBA season. With a 19–5 record, they are sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference and have quickly become one of the biggest surprises in the league.
As their strong run continues, rumors have naturally grown about whether Detroit might look to add another significant piece to strengthen its championship push.
Inside the Pistons’ Approach to Recent Trade Talk Regarding Anthony Davis
On Tuesday, ESPN reported that three Eastern Conference teams, which are the Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors, were monitoring Dallas star Anthony Davis’ situation.
“Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis, another former NBA champion, is expected to be a critical trade target of several teams, including many of the East’s contenders. The Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors are expected to be suitors for Davis, league sources told ESPN,” wrote ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania in his report.
These early reports generated excitement among fans, who wondered if Detroit might make a blockbuster move. However, a new update from the Detroit Free Press has now brought a surprising twist to the story.
According to the publication, a team source made it clear that the Pistons are not currently pursuing Davis.
“A source with knowledge of the Pistons’ thinking told the Free Press they haven’t had discussions with the Mavericks regarding a trade for Davis. And based on private discussions and public comments from the front office and coaching staff, it seems unlikely the Pistons are or will be among the teams looking to acquire him,” read a part of the report.
There’s no denying Davis’ talent. Even at the age of 32, he remains one of the league’s top big men. This season, he is averaging 19.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. However, concerns about his long-term reliability persist.
Given his age and the long list of previous injuries associated with his name, it’s understandable why Detroit may be hesitant about pursuing him. Adding a player with that type of risk could disrupt their chemistry and future cap flexibility.
Davis’ move to the Dallas Mavericks earlier this year only added more uncertainty. He arrived on Feb. 2 in a blockbuster swap that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers.
At the time, many questioned whether Davis could stay healthy enough to help Dallas make a deep playoff push. Unfortunately for the Mavericks, those doubts proved true, as last season Davis managed to appear in just nine games, dealing with several physical setbacks, including an abductor strain that kept him sidelined for long stretches.
Fans entered the new season hoping his luck would finally change. Instead, injuries have continued to follow him. Up to this point in the 2025–26 campaign, Davis has already missed 15 games. The Mavericks have struggled without consistent production from him, and their current 9–16 record reflects the challenges they’ve faced.
Financially, if we see that Davis remains one of the highest-paid players in the league. He signed a three-year, $186,000,000 maximum extension with the Lakers in 2023. He is now on a veteran max deal with Dallas and will earn around $54.1 million this season. For a team like Detroit, taking on that contract while hoping he stays healthy would be a significant gamble.
For now, one thing is evident: despite the noise swirling around the league, AD trade talks involving the Pistons are not going anywhere.
