Anthony Davis has been out of action for close to a month due to a calf injury, but his return might be imminent, potentially occurring this weekend, especially after his participation in Wednesday’s practice session with the Dallas Mavericks. His comeback would be a significant morale boost for the Mavericks, who have struggled with a 3-11 record during his absence. However, whenever the All-Star forward rejoins the team, he will be entering a situation with dramatically altered expectations compared to the beginning of the season.
During Davis’ period on the sidelines, the Mavericks made the decision to dismiss general manager Nico Harrison. Harrison was the key figure behind the transaction that brought Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, while securing Davis for Dallas. His tenure with the team was marked by considerable turbulence, as he frequently faced vocal disapproval from fans at home games, with chants of “Fire Nico” being a common occurrence. While Davis was not the direct target of this criticism, he will invariably be associated with the departure of the team’s iconic player, given Harrison’s long-standing admiration for Davis and his specific desire to have him play in Dallas.
In his initial public remarks concerning Harrison’s departure, Davis expressed his surprise at the firing.
“It was surprising more than anything,” Davis said. “Nico’s my guy, obviously he played a huge part in getting me here and wanting me to fulfill his vision in a sense. It was definitely tough. Me and him had a conversation. Me and [Mavericks governor] Patrick [Dumont] had a conversation. It’s the business of basketball.”
With Harrison’s exit, Davis’ future with the team immediately becomes less certain. The absence of the individual who strongly advocated for his presence on the Mavericks raises the possibility of Davis becoming a potential trade asset before the trade deadline in February. Reports have already indicated that the Mavericks are anticipated to explore potential trades involving Davis, although completing such a deal may prove challenging due to his significant contract, which totals $121.2 million over the subsequent two years, including a player option worth $62.7 million in 2027.
Considering that rookie Cooper Flagg is viewed as the long-term cornerstone of the franchise, after the Mavericks were fortunate enough to secure the No. 1 overall pick last June, it may be mutually beneficial for the Mavericks and Davis to pursue separate paths. Davis, at 32 years old, would likely find greater success on a team with legitimate championship aspirations. From now until the trade deadline on Feb. 5, speculation surrounding potential trades involving him will likely persist, though it’s not the first instance of him facing such circumstances.
“Man look, ya’ll make it like we’re going to war or something,” Davis said when questioned about the influence of trade rumors on him. “This is basketball, it comes with it. I think everybody in their career has been involved in trade talks, been traded or some type of move. That doesn’t affect me. I’ve been in trade talks for awhile. My job is to do what I do when I’m on the floor, play basketball and try to lead this team. Whatever comes out of that, comes out of that. I don’t really have any control over that. But I do have an open line of communication with the front office, and I’m just ready to get back on the floor.”
Davis participated in practice on Wednesday, aiming to be prepared for one of Dallas’s upcoming back-to-back games against the Lakers on Friday and the Clippers on Saturday. The Lakers matchup will undoubtedly attract significant attention, as it features Davis and Dončić facing their former teams. If Davis had his preference, he would be on the court for Friday’s game.
“You know what game I want to play,” Davis said when probed about his preferred game for his return. “But we’ll see, we’ll have a conversation and see what makes the most sense with the medical and coaching staff. Obviously I would like to [play against the Lakers] but at the end of the day, the main thing is getting back on the floor, whether that’s Friday or Saturday.”
The Mavericks had a 2-3 record when Davis was playing, but numerous adjustments have been implemented within the starting lineup since he was sidelined. The experimental strategy of starting Flagg at point guard, despite his lack of prior experience in that role, has been discontinued. Klay Thompson has primarily transitioned to a role off the bench, and while the frontcourt is still dealing with injuries, as Dereck Lively II is now expected to be out for an extended duration, Daniel Gafford is capable of filling the center position, with Davis playing as the power forward.
The roster remains imperfect, and Davis is certainly not a panacea for all the team’s shortcomings. However, his presence and good health will alleviate pressure on other players on both sides of the court. Additionally, from a trade perspective, it is crucial for the Mavericks that Davis regains his fitness to rebuild his trade value, and if his goal is to join a team contending for a championship, he should also strive to reclaim his All-Star status.
