Following the firing of general manager Nico Harrison, NBA executives anticipate the Dallas Mavericks will explore trade options for star forward Anthony Davis. The move comes amid a 3-8 start to the season and nine months after the controversial trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Davis, who has been limited by injuries, is seen as key to recouping lost draft assets for a rebuilding Mavericks team.
The Dallas Mavericks fired general manager Nico Harrison on November 12, 2025, after a disappointing 3-8 start, marking nine months since the team traded Luka Dončić to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and other pieces. Harrison's ouster has shifted the franchise's direction toward a potential rebuild, with executives around the league expecting the Mavericks to shop Davis, the centerpiece of that deal.
Davis, now 33, has played in just 14 of 44 possible games since arriving in Dallas last February. Before the trade, he averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds per game while ranking among the NBA's top five to 10 defensive players. However, ongoing injuries, including a current low-grade calf strain that has sidelined him for the last six games, have limited his impact. He is earning $54.6 million this season, with two years and $175 million remaining on his contract, including a $62.78 million player option at age 34.
The Mavericks lack control of their first-round picks from 2027 to 2030, making a 2026 tank essential to pair a potential lottery pick with rookie Cooper Flagg. Trading Davis could help recoup draft capital, though his injury history and age may yield a lesser return than past deals. Speculation ranks teams like the Golden State Warriors as the top fit, citing Davis as a rim-protector alongside Stephen Curry, while others such as the Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, and Chicago Bulls are mentioned in hypothetical packages involving picks and young players.
Western Conference executives emphasize the need for patience in rebuilding, noting the team's aging roster beyond Flagg. No deals are imminent, but the post-Harrison era signals a focus on long-term assets over short-term contention.