An insider talks about the Anthony Davis trade following the firing of Nick Harrison

Nine months ago, Dallas Mavericks replaced Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers Anthony DavisMax Christie, and a future first-round draft pick. But that’s by no means a guarantee that Davis will be in Dallas long enough to even see that pick come to fruition.

With firing CEO Nick HarrisonThe Mavericks essentially admitted trading Doncic, a five-time first-team All-NBA selection, was a mistake, something the Dallas owner Patrick Dumont has reportedly already confessed recently to a fan. But what does that mean for Davis, who has a long-standing relationship with Harrison that dates back more than a decade to when the latter was employed by Nike?

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, maybe it doesn’t mean a lot.

“Sources tell @TheSteinLine and @DLLS_Sports that Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, has established a strong relationship with Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont since the February trade. They are in regular contact,” Stein posted on X, formerly Twitter.

As for what Nick Harrison’s firing means for Anthony Davis’ future in Dallas: sources say @TheSteinLine and @DLLS_Sports that Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, has established a strong relationship with Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont since the February trade. They are in regular contact. https://t.co/VUvjU4Dl9h

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 11, 2025

Davis, 32, is in the first year of a three-year max contract extension he signed with the Lakers back in 2023. He is set to make $54.1 million this season, $58.5 million next season and, if he chooses to exercise his player option, $62.8 million during the 2027-2028 season. He will be eligible for another extension next August, although his long injury history and a big change in the front office could prevent him from signing the contract in Dallas.

Since being acquired in February, Davis has played just 14 of a possible 44 games with the Mavericks. He was injured in a trade last season, and in his Mavericks debut he had 26 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks before suffering an adductor strain. He missed the next month and a half, a total of 18 games, and played in eight of the team’s final 11 games as Dallas missed the playoffs.

This season, he averaged 25.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks through the first four games before straining his calf in the first quarter of Game 5. He has missed the last six games — five losses — as a result.

With Davis also without star point guard Kyrie Irving, who is still rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered in March, the Mavericks fell to a 3-8 record, which is currently second-worst in the Western Conference.