There are several Eastern Conference suitors in the Anthony Davis trade market, in a new report by ESPN’s Shams Charania. December 15, next Monday, is a crucial date league wide, as 90-percent of players
signed in the offseason become trade eligible once again. Soon after, most executives will participate in meetings surrounding the G League showcase, a time for general managers to begin serious conversations on deals. Along with Davis, ESPN’s sources indicate the Mavericks are open to trades involving Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, and D’Angelo Russell.
According to the report, the Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors have all begun evaluating offers for the Mavericks big man. “The Pistons (19-5), Raptors (15-10) and Hawks (14-11) represent high-level threats in their conference and are having seasons that give hope that a player like Davis — a 10-time All-Star who has spent his entire career in the Western Conference — can elevate them into a viable championship-quality team,” Charania reports.
Much like the contract status of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who also features in the piece, Davis is nearing contract extension eligibility. This is something that has factored into future discussions, even within the Mavericks. The report indicates that Rich Paul, Davis’ agent, has held discussions with the Mavericks’ interim front office Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi about their intentions with Davis’ future — either extending him or trading him. Charania details that, “Finley and Riccardi accepted the message and stated the franchise wants to keep its options open and view how the team plays for the next few weeks. They have not ruled out the possibility of an extension.”
While the Mavericks wade these trade waters they also need to solidify their own leadership future. While team governor Patrick Dumont has leaned on the leadership of Finley and Riccardi, he has also included head coach Jason Kidd and minority owner Mark Cuban to his front office corps. A complete search for the next general manager could extend to the offseason — a search which will include Finley and Riccardi as candidates.
While it would be nice for the Mavericks to have secured the future decision maker ahead of such sizable moves as trading Davis while navigating the first steps of building a team around Cooper Flagg, the team seems prepared to engage in these conversations with an interim inner circle.
The Mavericks have turned a competitive corner of late, winning three of their last four, all against competitive opponents. While the headlines are rightly celebrating the ascendancy of Flagg and the budding play of rookie point guard Ryan Nembhard, Davis and Thompson have also shown up in notable ways during this winning stretch. The question worth monitoring is how this upswing from the Mavericks impacts Dumont and his inner circle as they evaluate next steps. Depending on discussions in the coming weeks with other franchises and the possible return, could the Mavericks practice more patience nearing the trade deadline? Especially as they near postseason play-in territory? It would be wise for them to keep their eyes on the future, and maximizing their last controllable pick for some time. But how this develops remains to be seen.
