Is It Time for the Mavericks to Trade Their Star Big?

For the last year, the Mavericks have built their defensive identity around their star big man, Anthony Davis. When Davis plays, the Mavericks look disciplined, connected, and capable of anchoring long stretches of elite defense. Yet, when he sits, that structure collapses, leaving Dallas scrambling to reinvent itself on the fly. It has created a season defined as much by his absence as by his impact, forcing the franchise to confront a difficult question: Is it time to consider trading their star big?

The debate is not about Davis’ skill because his talent remains undeniable, even as the roster evolves around him. He is still one of the best interior defenders in the league, altering shots, cleaning the glass, and covering miscues that would otherwise bury Dallas. Offensively, Davis gives the Mavericks a reliable finisher and a stabilizing presence who can slow the game down when needed. The issue is that Dallas rarely gets the full version of that player who had high expectations coming into this year. Their long-term planning has become increasingly complicated because of it.

As the Mavericks reshape their identity around developing young talent like Cooper Flagg and tightening their offensive fluidity, it’s fair to ask whether Davis fits the long-term timeline. His presence elevates the floor of the team. However, the organization may be moving toward a future built on youth, versatility, and financial flexibility. Keeping Davis means staying committed to an aggressive, win-now model that has repeatedly stalled out due to injuries and depth issues. Trading him could realign the franchise with a more sustainable arc centered on growth instead of constant patchwork.

Financially speaking, Davis’ contract looms as both a luxury and a limitation. When he’s healthy, the cost is justified because he brings elite value in areas Dallas lacks. Moving Davis could open cap space, increase draft capital, and offer Dallas a chance to construct a roster that complements its emerging core instead of relying on one player to cover flaws in their structure. If the Mavs were to trade him, it would also come with some risk. 

Players with his combination of skill, defense, and postseason experience do not come around often. Replacing him would require multiple moves that may or may not pan out. Dallas would essentially be betting that its young players will accelerate quickly and that the front office can find and entice a new center who anchors the defense without sacrificing offense. It’s a gamble that could produce long-term upside, but it also exposes the Mavericks to a short-term dip that could stall progress in a tightly competitive Western Conference.

There is no question of whether Davis is a great player. The question is about whether the Mavericks want to keep straddling two timelines, or commit fully to the one that gives their young players room to define the next era. Davis remains a transformative piece, but that comes with transformative decisions. The Mavericks must now decide which version of their future they trust more: the one Davis helps hold together today, or the one they might unlock by moving on.