On Tuesday, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Toronto Raptors are one of three known teams expected to be interested in Anthony Davis if the Mavericks make him available before the Feb. 5 deadline. The Pistons and Hawks are the other two teams.
Davis was traded to Dallas less than a year ago in the stunning Luka Dončić deal, a move that Nico Harrison thought would lead the Mavericks to a championship. Dallas' new star played in only nine games before the season ended. He played in both play-in tournament games, but the Mavericks couldn't make it to the first round. So far this season, he has played only 10 games.
He is signed through the 2027-28 season, which is a $62.8 million player option. Charania wrote that Rich Paul, AD's agent, met with Dallas' interim co-general managers about whether the Mavericks want to trade Davis or sign him to an extension next summer. Dallas said that the team wants to see how the next few weeks go.
The Mavericks are 9-11, 11th in the West, and now that Harrison is gone, they could decide to build their future around rookie Cooper Flagg. The 2026 draft is the last that the team will control their first-round pick until 2031, and given their record, it'd make sense to move on from AD.
Raptors linked to Anthony Davis before Feb. 5 deadline
Toronto is 15-10, fourth in the East, so the Raptors could make a big move before the deadline to become a true contender. Davis is a tremendous two-way player, and he helped the Lakers win a championship in 2021. It'd be great for Toronto to have the best version of AD, but unfortunately, as Dallas has learned the hard way, he can't help you win a title if he's out.
Davis is making $54.1 million this season, and will make $58.5 million next season, and has his $62.8 million player option in 2027-28. He will be eligible to sign a four-year max extension worth $275 million in August. As Charania wrote, if Davis signs an extension, he could make $76 million in his age-37 season.
There is no reason for the Raptors not to commit to paying the remainder of AD's contract, but to sign him to an extension on top of that. You can't take that kind of risk with his lengthy injury history, no matter how good he is when he plays. He isn't getting any younger, either.
Toronto should be active before the deadline, but by no means should the Raptors risk their future by trading for an AD. Now, if Giannis is available, that's another story.