The NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching, and the Dallas Mavericks are one of several teams to watch closely. The future of star big man Anthony Davis, in particular, is one of the league’s most intriguing stories. While the Mavericks continue to assess the market, a top NBA insider revealed the latest on a potential Davis trade.
NBA Insider Reveals a ‘Block’ in Anthony Davis Trade Scenario
While discussing Davis on NBA TV, NBA insider Chris Haynes revealed the trade market for Davis continues to heat up. Haynes said, “Anthony Davis is a guy who a lot of rival executives expect to be on the move. We been hearing talks about Dallas and Atlanta doing something, so there’s been some back and forth between those two ball clubs, but ultimately, as of right now, there is nothing that is finalized.
“Dallas, they want some expiring contracts, they also want a nice, promising young player on board as well, so that continues to be something that is blocking the situation.”
Chris Haynes with a Anthony Davis trade update
“Anthony Davis is a guy rival executives expect 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/Zm78K7dUBX
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) January 7, 2026
While battling injury issues, Davis has produced when he’s been available for the Mavericks. He’s averaging 20.3 points and 11.1 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 52.2% from the field. Davis has 12 double-doubles in 19 games this season. He also continues to be one of the league’s top defensive big men, averaging 1.7 blocks per game.
However, the Mavericks have underachieved as a team this season, which cost Nico Harrison his job as the Mavericks’ General Manager. At 14-23, the Mavericks are currently three and a half games back of the final Western Conference Play-In Tournament spot. It appears the organization is now prioritizing the long-term direction around rookie Cooper Flagg.
Haynes mentioned the Hawks as a potential suitor for Davis, and they are an intriguing trade partner. At 17-21, the Hawks are preparing to make their own big moves, starting with dealing with the face of the franchise, Trae Young. It’s unlikely the Mavericks would have interest in acquiring Young, as Mavs Head Coach Jason Kidd prioritizes defense, and Young is a notoriously poor defender. Plus, the Mavs still have Kyrie Irving under contract.
The Hawks would likely put Kristaps Porziņģis in a Davis trade, but it didn’t work out the first time Porziņģis was in Dallas, so the Mavs would probably have limited interest. There’s been some speculation that the Hawks could make 2024 first overall pick Zaccharie Risacher available.
Risacher is the type of young player Haynes describes the Mavs covet, but would the Hawks really include him in a Davis trade? Risacher also isn’t a natural fit next to Flagg at this point because he’s an inconsistent perimeter shooter.
Regardless, Haynes expects Davis could be on the move, which would set up another trade deadline blockbuster.