The $62.8 million Anthony Davis issue as the trade heats up

The Dallas Mavericks they are fast approaching a crossroads, and at the center of their dilemma is the superstar big man Anthony Davisa player whose trade market may not be as strong as many once assumed. With the Mavericks sitting at 5-13 and growing after a disappointing start to the season, the conversation about Davis’ future intensified in the entire league.

During Monday’s episode of The Hoop Collective, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps explained why moving Davis could be extremely difficult despite his elite talent.

While the idea Trading a player of Davis’ caliber often conjures up visions of huge returns, multiple first-round picks, promising young talent and trades, league executives reportedly don’t see his value that way right now.

“The idea of ​​trading Anthony Davis made everybody think, well, they’re going to get three firsts, two trades…” Bontemps said. “There aren’t a lot of teams lined up to take on 32-year-old Anthony Davis who is going to make $63 million, and you have to assume he’s going to opt for that deal.”

That deal includes a $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season, a number that dramatically complicates the logistics of matching salaries.

Cooper Flagg has already played more games for the Mavericks than Anthony Davis 😳 pic.twitter.com/t4moVLsE2j

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 21, 2025

Any team interested in Davis would need not only the assets, but also the financial structure to absorb or offset the massive contract. Bontemps noted that the first hurdle is simply finding someone “who is willing to take the money.”

Even more of a challenge is Davis’ availability. He has already missed 13 games this season with a calf injury, raising concerns about the durability that has dogged him for most of his career. For teams considering a long-term investment in a mid-30s big man with an injury history, caution abounds.

Despite the noise, Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban recently told Joe Vardon of the Athletics that the franchise has no intention of trading Davis, saying, “We want to try to win. The organization still sees Davis and Flagg as a center duo capable of contending, if they can get healthy and rediscover their momentum.

But if Dallas’ struggles continue, the noise will only get louder. A season that once promised title contention could soon force a reckoning: rebuild or pass?

The Mavericks face the Miami Heat (11-6) on Monday night, and the pressure has never been higher.