At this time last year, Anthony Davis was still a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Then, as every NBA fan knows, the Mavericks shockingly dealt Luka Doncic in exchange for AD and additional compensation. Former Dallas general manager Nico Harrison, the architect behind the deal, has been fired. The Mavs are off to a dismal 15-25 start this season. Davis is expected to miss ‘several months’ due to a surgery to repair ligament damage in his left hand, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
It’s safe to say things aren’t going well.
Charania shared one other interesting tidbit on Tuesday. While Davis’ season is likely over in Dallas, the center could get healthy by the start of the playoffs. That won’t matter unless he’s traded. For a Dallas squad looking to build around rookie Cooper Flagg, the move makes sense. Grab assets for a 32-year-old veteran and fully commit to a tank. The Mavs are now having “renewed trade talks with multiple interested teams.”
If Dallas pulls the trigger on a blockbuster trade, where will Anthony Davis make his next appearance? Let’s break down the three most likely spots for the future Hall-of-Famer.
Top Anthony Davis trade destinations
Atlanta Hawks
The most frequent team mentioned as a suitor for Davis are the Hawks. Following last week’s Trae Young deal, Charania mentioned AD as a trade target for Atlanta. It’s a move that would be more about building a long-term foundation. At 20-21, the Hawks are a fringe Eastern Conference playoff contender. Still, the future is bright with Jalen Johnson emerging as a legitimate All-Star candidate. Acquiring a second star would make things much easier for head coach Quin Snyder.
Another factor that makes Atlanta the most likely landing spot is its depth. The Hawks can create an enticing trade package built around some combination of Zaccharie Risacher, Onyeka Okongwu, and rookie Asa Newell. In addition, the team has two first-round picks in the upcoming NBA Draft. Ultimately, it might come down to whether the front office wants to make such a massive move. For a team with virtually no title hopes, an injured Davis offers no value this season. Waiting until the summer carries risk, but it could also mean a lower cost for the center. At the moment, no deal is imminent between these two clubs.
Chicago Bulls
Much like Atlanta, the Bulls (18-20) don’t have much to play for at the moment. Still, mediocrity has never stopped Chicago from making win-now moves. Bringing in a Windy City native would only add more appeal for fans in desperate need of meaningful basketball. There’s more hope than ever for this roster, with young guards Josh Giddey and Coby White emerging as go-to scorers. Pairing that duo with a legitimate two-way force down low isn’t the worst idea.
Ultimately, the Bulls have less to give and less reason to give than the Hawks. Still, the expiring contracts of Nikola Vucevic ($21 million) and Zach Collins ($18 million) are enticing. Chicago controls all of its own draft picks, as well as a 2026 protected first-rounder from Portland. It’s easy to be skeptical about this move, especially for a team that needs to rebuild. That doesn’t mean it’s unlikely. If anything, the Bulls have shown no interest in outright tanking. A buy-low deal for Davis gives Chicago a rare chance at adding a superstar.
Toronto Raptors
If there’s anywhere AD could make an impact this postseason, it’s Toronto. The Raptors have been a pleasant surprise, racing out to a 24-17 record, fourth in the East. However, an area of concern is at center. Jakob Poeltl has been hampered by back issues all season. In his absence, Collin Murray-Boyles has been forced into a starting role. The rookie, at 6’7″, is undersized compared to most big men. If Canada’s team is serious about making a run, their front office needs to make a win-now move.
It’s not as if we haven’t seen Toronto act aggressively at the trade deadline. Look no further than last winter’s Brandon Ingram deal. Still, the Raptors control all of their future first-round picks. Theres’ risk here, especially when considering the financials. One of R.J. Barrett or Immanuel Quickley would likely need to go back to Dallas. Regardless, it’s the kind of tough decision that could vault Toronto towards title contention. For a fanbase eager to see postseason basketball, it may not be a difficult sell.
