Anthony Davis’ career took a drastic turn the moment the Lakers sent him to Dallas in the blockbuster deal that moved Luka Doncic to Los Angeles. The trade stunned the league and placed enormous expectations on Davis to become the new foundation of the Mavericks.
But since arriving in Dallas, injuries have followed him everywhere. Soft-tissue setbacks, the adductor strain, the calf issue, and more have kept him on the sidelines far more than on the court. His performances in the limited games he has played have been solid, but nowhere near enough to justify the price Dallas paid.
The Mavericks are now in disarray. They traded their franchise cornerstone and handed full control of their future to a new unit, only to watch the roster collapse under injuries and inconsistency. With Davis missing time, Dallas has struggled to stay competitive and sit near the bottom of the Western Conference.
This environment has sparked heavy chatter around Davis’ future. Trade speculation has circulated across media, with multiple outlets identifying teams that could make a push if Dallas finally decides to reset.
Anthony Davis is expected to be shopped as the Dallas Mavericks shift toward the future and plan to build around Cooper Flagg, per @BannedMacMahon pic.twitter.com/IaSwtnUUhE
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 19, 2025
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon recently reported that the Mavs are planning on trading AD and starting to build the franchise’s future around Cooper Flagg. In case that happens, here are the top five potential destinations for Davis.
Miami Heat
Miami sits near the top of the list because they remain aggressive in pursuing star-level upgrades after moving Jimmy Butler to Golden State. Their core now revolves around Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and a young supporting cast.
The Heat need more size, rim protection, and interior scoring to stabilize their identity post-Butler. Davis provides all three. The Heat also have movable contracts in Terry Rozier and Andrew Wiggins, and picks to construct a competitive package.
The challenge is matching salary and the fact that they’ve already used significant draft equity, but Pat Riley has never been shy about going star-hunting.
Sacramento Kings
Sacramento has retooled around Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan, with Russell Westbrook brought in for backcourt punch and veteran edge. Even with that firepower, the Kings are 3–11 and near the bottom of the West, and the defense still looks fragile in big games.
Davis would give them the rim protection and defensive ceiling they have never really solved, while Sabonis could shift into more of a playmaking hub at the 5 or share frontcourt minutes depending on matchups.
Interestingly, the most valuable asset that the Kings can trade to bring in AD is Sabonis. While it won’t be a one-on-one trade, including Sabonis with tradeable picks will help the Kings seal the deal.
Chicago Bulls
Chicago looks like the cleanest basketball and narrative fit. The franchise has a young perimeter core in Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Matas Buzelis, with Nikola Vucevic still anchoring the middle. They’ve opened this season strong, but they still lack a true two-way interior superstar. Davis would instantly become their best defender and their most reliable half-court mismatch.
The Bulls also have real motivation. They’ve invested heavily in Giddey with a long-term extension and are betting on Buzelis as a future star. Adding Davis gives that group a win-now centerpiece without punting their youth.
On top of it, Chicago is Davis’ hometown, and that storyline can push the trade chatter, including hypothetical frameworks sending him there.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are built around length and versatility. Their core now features Immanuel Quickley at the point, RJ Barrett and Brandon Ingram on the wings, Scottie Barnes as a do-everything forward, and Jakob Poeltl at center.
That group can score and switch, but they still lack a true top-tier defensive anchor who can erase mistakes at the rim and close games as a matchup-proof big. Davis would slot in as a ceiling raiser on both ends.
Toronto has multiple mid-to-high-salary pieces and interesting young players, like Collin Murray-Boyles, which gives them the flexibility to build a competitive package without completely gutting the rotation.
For now, the Bulls are comfortable in the East. They’re currently third on the chart with a 9-5 record. However, the addition of AD can give them a much-needed push, and his championship experience makes him even more valuable.
Detroit Pistons
Detroit is suddenly a problem. They’re 13–2, sitting at the top of the East, and Cade Cunningham has leveled up into a true franchise engine with Jalen Duren emerging as a dominant interior presence. Ausar Thompson gives them a long, versatile wing, and even with Jaden Ivey dealing with knee issues, the young talent base is stacked.
With an 11-game winning streak, the Pistons are the most dominant team in the league right now. But as the season progresses, things will get difficult, and a veteran like Davis can be a valuable addition.
Davis would accelerate their trajectory from “rising playoff team” to “title-adjacent.” He could play next to Duren in jumbo lineups or anchor the 5 when they want more spacing. Detroit has picks, young players, and the cap structure to construct a huge offer.
If the trade talk gets serious in the coming weeks, Davis will have plenty of options to negotiate. Other than the five mentioned above, the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs are also part of the group suited for AD.
The biggest drawback with Davis is the fact that he is very injury-prone. He has struggled with several injuries over the last few years, and there’s no guarantee that it will no longer be a problem moving forward.
However, when he’s healthy, AD can be a great asset for any team. In five games this season, he is averaging 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game while shooting 52% from the field. Even with all his troubles last season, he averaged 24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 51 games and made it to the All-Star team.
Read More:
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