NBA star Anthony Davis‘ massive contract will likely make it difficult for the Dallas Mavericks to trade him.
Davis is making $54.1 million this season. He’ll make $58.5 million next season and has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season.
“I don’t know what the value of Anthony Davis (is),” NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN said. “Some of the stuff that I have heard from executives talking to me about what they think Anthony Davis’ trade value (is) I’m not even going to say it because then I’d get aggregated and people would be jumping down my throat and I would just be repeating something somebody else said.
“When I have heard what people are saying Anthony Davis’ trade value is right now, not because of him as a player to be clear, not because he’s diminished as a player, but because of the idea of paying an injury-prone mid-30s guy $50, $60 million dollars in the apron era is unpalatable.”
The Mavericks are expected to work with Davis’ camp as they decide whether to pursue an in-season trade, sources told DallasHoopsJournal. Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group is Davis’ agent.
Davis has appeared in just 17 games with the Mavericks since the blockbuster Luka Dončić trade last season. The big man is averaging 20.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.0 blocks per game in a Dallas uniform.
A Kentucky product, Davis has played in only eight games this season because of a left calf injury. He’s averaging 20.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.8 blocks per game.
The few teams interested in trading for Davis hope he loses weight, sources said. Teams believe Davis needs to lose weight so he can be the mobile threat he usually is.
A top 75 player of all time, Davis has played for the New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers and Mavericks. He has career averages of 24.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks per game.
