Mavericks' Anthony Davis trade talks accelerate as surprise suitor takes the lead

The Atlanta Hawks are emerging as the runaway favorites to trade for Anthony Davis, and the rumors of Davis heading to Atlanta are starting to pick up steam.

It all started over the weekend when it was reported that the Hawks were extremely interested in trading for Davis. These sudden rumors came as a surprise, as Davis got injured just a day prior against the Golden State Warriors, but Atlanta still seems dialed in on pursuing the 6-foot-10 big man.

ESPN's Tim MacMahon threw some gasoline on the Anthony Davis trade smoke on Monday morning during an episode of "The Hoop Collective Podcast," and it sounds like the Mavericks are showing strong interest in sending him to Atlanta.

Anthony Davis-to-Hawks chatter is gaining real traction

"The Mavericks would like to work out a deal to send Anthony Davis to Atlanta," MacMahon said.

This is no longer a one-sided interest anymore. There is interest from Dallas' end in trading Davis to the Hawks, and the rumors surrounding him are getting real.

Atlanta seemed like a possible destination for Davis as soon as Zaccharie Risacher was linked to the Mavericks over the weekend, and the fact that early parameters of a potential deal are beginning to come out is notable. It sounds like there have been actual conversations here, and a trade between Dallas and Atlanta could end up being Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard, Risacher, and first-round draft capital for Davis.

Dallas doesn't have any interest in trading for Trae Young, and Atlanta highly covets Jalen Johnson. This leaves Porzingis as the only viable centerpiece in a potential trade between the two teams, and Risacher's potential combined with some first-round picks may be the ultimate swing factor in a potential deal. Porzingis and Kennard's expiring contracts would be helpful as well, but Dallas needs some first-round picks in an effort to build around Cooper Flagg.

It remains unclear how much draft capital the Mavericks would receive from Atlanta, but this could be just enough to force Dallas' hand to part with Davis before seeing him play with Kyrie Irving this season. The Mavericks have shown promise during certain stretches of the season thanks to Davis and Flagg's dominance, but it hasn't been consistent enough to make them a playoff team.

Dallas is 1.5 games back from the No. 10 seed, and their overall inconsistency and struggles on the road are impossible to ignore. All signs are pointing to the Mavericks being a lottery team for the time being, and this type of trade for Davis may be their best bet if they're set on moving him ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.

This would allow them to trade him before his value fluctuates more than it already has over the last 10 months, and it would confirm that their sole focus is the future around Flagg.

When comparing the Hawks' interest in Davis to other rumored suitors like the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, and Golden State Warriors, they are clearly the most interested team in the 10-time All-Star big man. Atlanta has dropped 10 of their last 12 games, and Davis may be the addition that it needs to get back on track.

The Mavericks' fascination in making a deal with the Hawks getting leaked is one of the more notable developments of the entire Anthony Davis saga, and we've got you covered with all the latest.