Speculation surrounding an Anthony Davis trade remains as loud as ever, with multiple teams reportedly showing interest in the championship big man, including the Toronto Raptors, who are seeking frontcourt reinforcement amid Jakob Poeltl’s injury.
Still, a Mavericks insider has explained why discussions between Toronto and Dallas have not progressed to advanced stages.
Why Toronto’s Proposals Don’t Meet Mavericks’ Demands for Anthony Davis
On Thursday’s episode of “Howdy Partners,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said the Raptors are considered one of two “primary potential destinations” for Davis, along with the Atlanta Hawks. However, he noted that Toronto’s potential trade packages may not align with Dallas’ priorities due to financial constraints tied to contracts.
“There’s going to be some real problems with the Raptors, because one thing if the Mavs are trading AD, they want it to be a financially advantageous move,” MacMahon said. “They don’t want to take back a bunch of long-term salary, and that’s going to be tough for the Raptors.”
MacMahon added that if Toronto were to acquire Davis, it would more likely come through a multi-team deal, noting that Jakob Poeltl’s contract — a three-year agreement that began this season worth $84,084,000 and set to pay him $27.3 million in his age-34 campaign — would not be particularly appealing to the Mavericks.
“Taking back Jakob Poeltl, who just got that extension? Unless the Raptors want to stack up some picks, that one’s tough to see making sense from a Mavericks perspective,” MacMahon said.
The Raptors have been actively searching for frontcourt help since Poeltl has been sidelined since December. Toronto ranks 21st in the league in rebounding and 20th in blocks. The Raptors do not have a player averaging double-digit rebounds per game, with Scottie Barnes leading the team at 8.4 per contest, followed by Poeltl at 7.7.
Anthony Davis, who is averaging 20.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, would represent a significant upgrade in the interior. However, while the Mavericks are listening to offers for Davis, they are also interested in first evaluating how the trio of Davis, rookie phenom Cooper Flagg, and injured star Kyrie Irving might fit together.
As they continue their search for a center, the Raptors have also been linked to Los Angeles Clippers big man Brook Lopez. According to ESPN’s Zach Kram, Toronto could construct a package involving Ochai Agbaji, Jamison Battle, and a 2026 second-round pick (via Lakers) to acquire the sharpshooting center, who may not match Davis’ dominance but comes at a considerably lower cost.
