Mavericks' Anthony Davis trade may be imminent thanks to hidden connection

The Anthony Davis discourse has just about run its course.

Trade rumors began to heat up once it became apparent that Davis would not be able to stay healthy for long stretches of the season, and the Mavericks fired Nico Harrison.

Now, the Atlanta Hawks have presented themselves as the most eligible suitor to acquire Davis’s services. Plus, the Hawks have an ace in their deck of cards that other teams don’t possess – Hawks Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham.

Bryson Graham and Anthony Davis have a deep history with each other

Graham and Davis have been connected since Davis first joined the NBA in 2012. Both were part of the New Orleans Pelicans organization during Davis’ entire seven-year tenure with the team.

Davis came to the Pelicans as a highly touted wide-eyed rookie at the tender age of 19. And Graham started his steady ascent up the Pelicans' corporate ladder during the 2010-11 season as a basketball operations intern before eventually becoming their general manager in 2024.

Graham made a surprising career pivot when he joined the Atlanta Hawks in June of 2025. But he’s built a stellar reputation for his basketball acumen and keen ability to evaluate and develop young talent. The Hawks possess this type of personnel in spades and could use a vet like Davis. 

Graham’s pedigree makes the Atlanta Hawks an ideal landing spot for Davis for a multitude of reasons.

One, Davis will have someone in the organization who knows his strengths and weaknesses as a player inside out. Second, he would also have a confidant who knows him on a personal level. Relationships like this are extremely important on the NBA level. Lastly, the Eastern Conference is wide open, and adding someone with Davis’ skillset could tip the scales in the Hawks' favor.

The Mavericks are looking to acquire young assets and draft picks

But what do the Mavericks get out of this?

Well, the Hawks have a bevy of assets, including 2024 No.1 pick Zaccharie Risacher and draft capital that the Mavs would love to get their hands on.

And the Hawks can also add former Maverick Kristaps Porzingis’ expiring contract to sweeten the pot. Plus, Porzingis can do a lot of the same things Davis does on the floor at 7-foot-2 (if he can stay healthy). He’s a serviceable defender at the rim, and he can spread the floor in the pick and roll or from downtown.

Ideally, the Mavs would like to maintain some form of continuity on the court while continuing to surround Cooper Flagg with talent in the years to come. The Mavs seem reluctant to offer Davis an extension due to his injury history. So they are likely looking to get this deal done as soon as possible so they can focus on making a playoff run. Especially since it looks like Kyrie Irving will be back soon.

The Mavericks have given every indication that they want to remain competitive. But they also want to make sure they maximize their return for Davis and not make the same mistake they made in the infamous Luka Doncic trade.

In a perfect world, we would have gotten the chance to see Flagg join forces with Irving and Davis as a big three before making such a big move. But time waits for no man. And the time might be now.