Why would Kendrick Perkins trade Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving before the deadline

ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins believes that Dallas Mavericks should get really busy before the trade deadline with aging veterans Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irvingwhile looking for ways to improve the talent surrounding the rookie Cooper Flagg. Anthony Davis has been mentioned in trade rumors amid his latest hand injury, and Irving, who is recovering from a torn ACL, has yet to make his season debut for the Mavericks.

Still, Perkins believes the Mavericks must do everything in their power to feature the two either together or separately. trade proposal before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, he said, according to ESPN’s NBA Countdown.

“What are you holding on to? You’ve got a generational player; you’ve got your guy. I’m not just thinking about trading Anthony Davis; I’m also trading 33-year-old Kyrie Irving. If you’re talking about rebuilding, rebuilding,” Perkins said. “If you’re going to go into full rebuild mode and build around Cooper Flag, we want to add those young pieces to grow with him.”

“Kyrie Irving is 33 years old. I’m trading him and Anthony Davis, and I’m going to get some draft picks. Some pieces and good drafting, and add some pieces around Cooper Flagg, and I’m looking forward to next year.”

“I’m trading both (Kyrie Irving) and Anthony Davis and I’m going to get some draft picks … well, add some pieces around Cooper Flagg and I’m looking forward to next year.”

Kendrick Perkins on how the Mavs need to move forward 🗣

(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/12eVAdkLFv

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 15, 2026

While some NBA fans are eager to see what the Mavericks look like without any injuries to their core players, Kendrick Perkins says a full rebuild is in order. The Mavericks (15-25) have the fourth-worst record in the Western Conference this season.

Mavericks staff Rich Paul amid Anthony Davis trade rumors

The The Mavericks won’t be forced to trade Anthony Davissaid a member of the team, according to ESPN’s Tim McMahon. The message was addressed to Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, who could put pressure on your client be moved to a specific team, depending on the level of interest from potential suitors, as McMahon noted, according to ESPN’s The Hoop Collective podcast.

“‘Rich Paul won’t bully us.’ That’s a direct quote from a member of the Mavericks organization. Another member of the Mavericks organization, referring to Patrick Dumont, the governor. “Patrick is not going to sign a deal just to make a deal. Ownership doesn’t feel any pressure to make an AD deal,” McMahon said.

“Patrick has no problem going into next year and seeing with a healthy Kyrie and a healthy AD next to Cooper Flagg and seeing what that looks like,” another employee added.

While Davis’ latest injury doesn’t help his midseason trade stock, there is reportedly still a level of interest in AD around the NBA.