Will Dallas really consider trading Anthony Davis?

The Dallas Mavericks they endured a terrible start to the 2025-26 NBA season. A Mavs legend, in fact Dirk Nowitzki even admitted that the team had a “disastrous start” in a new campaign. Dallas’ performance has some people around the NBA wondering if the Mavs will enter a rebuild sooner rather than later — and if that rebuild will lead to Anthony Davis trade.

Of course, moving AD just one season after we bought it Luka Dončić it seems absurd. Trading him would mean the Mavs only got one season of Anthony Davis, in addition to acquiring Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, for Doncic.

People with knowledge of the situation told ClutchPoints that the Mavericks would prefer to build around Davis, Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg. As of this writing, the chances of Davis actually being traded are extremely slim. With Dallas currently sitting in last place in the Western Conference, the Mavs could face a particularly tough ask down the road if their struggles continue.

Building around Davis and Irving makes sense if Dallas plays well. However, trying to build a contender around players who are 33 and 32 while the team is near or at the bottom of the table is a huge task. Worrying about injuries to Davis and Irving only makes the situation even more uncertain.

Could the team turn things around and get back into contention? Anything is possible, but the Mavericks have looked like a train wreck through their first nine contests of the year. They have the worst offensive rating in the NBA, can’t shoot 3-pointers, and their defense has been less than ideal.

If they can’t start winning, should Davis become a trade candidate this season?

Should the Mavericks consider a full rebuild?

Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has put himself in a challenging situation. Turning to a rebuild almost guarantees the team will go in a different direction at GM. Changing Doncic and changing the roster for a championship is one thing, but Harrison’s job could be saved if Dallas plays well and his vision comes true. Rebuilding would be conceding defeat in a sense, and one would imagine Dallas would have to move on from Harrison in that scenario.

As a result, it remains unlikely that the Mavs will embark on a full rebuild this year — as long as Harrison steers the ship. He can’t afford to trade Anthony Davis a year after trading Luka Doncic. Barring a shocking decision, AD likely won’t be traded this season unless the Mavs release Harrison before the trade deadline and whoever replaces him gives the green light to a renewal.

As for the question of whether they are it should rebuild, the answer is probably yes. Cooper Flagg features a generational talent ceiling and a veteran move could give Dallas young talent for the future alongside Flagg. In addition, the 2026 NBA Draft class has serious intrigue, with players such as Darrin Peterson leads the way.

Rebuild or not, the Mavericks likely won’t move AD before the 2026 NBA trade deadline. That said, no one expected Doncic to be moved, and we all know what happened in early February 2025. When it comes to the current Dallas Mavericks, anything could happen.