Mavericks' dream Anthony Davis blockbuster trade is suddenly getting real

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Detroit Pistons are among the suitors interested in trading for Anthony Davis ahead of the trade deadline. The Dallas Mavericks have been exploring some trades surrounding Davis for some time now, and the Pistons officially being in the race is music to Mavericks fans' ears.

Fans have been pushing for the team to trade Davis for weeks, and the fact that teams are beginning to show interest in him shows that this trade chatter is starting to get real.

While the likelihood of the Mavericks landing someone like Ausar Thompson in a Davis trade with Detroit is probably slim to none, they have many other pieces that should intrigue Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley to pull the trigger on such a move.

The Pistons have young players, draft capital, and expiring contracts to offer, which are all things that Dallas wants, and the Mavericks could create some serious future cap flexibility and build a solid young core around Cooper Flagg if they play their cards right.

The Pistons are a logical Anthony Davis trade partner

Flagg's future should be the Mavericks' No. 1 priority moving forward, and landing him a young potential co-star in a trade, or in the 2026 NBA Draft, would be ideal. They already have some great young players around Flagg in Ryan Nembhard, Max Christie, and Dereck Lively II, but they have to add some more depth to ensure that they will be contending for titles in a few years. Dallas isn't going to net a superstar-type of trade return by any means, but the Pistons definitely have some intriguing pieces that they can offer the Mavericks.

Jaden Ivey should be atop the Mavericks' wish list due to his potential long-term fit in Dallas next to Flagg. The Mavs clearly need more guard depth moving forward, especially with Kyrie Irving's injury history, and Ivey provides them with a source of scoring, shooting, and secondary playmaking. He has been pushed into a back-seat role with the Pistons since he returned from a right knee injury on November 22, and his slow start to the season should help lower his trade value significantly.

Ivey is playing just 13.9 minutes per game in Detroit this season and has come off the bench in every single game. He started in over 90 percent of games in his first three seasons, and with his role dwindling, he could be looking for a fresh start before hitting restricted free agency in the offseason.

His scoring off the bounce, finishing, and shooting would give the Mavs another threat to their backcourt, and buying low on him wouldn't be a bad idea. He has shown that he has the offensive firepower to be a featured piece on a good squad; he may just need a fresh start to become this guy again.

With Holland, they'd be getting an Energizer Bunny who plays incredible defense, and he'd form a deadly duo on the wing with Flagg for years to come. His game comes with some offensive limitations, as well-documented, but his athleticism, finishing, and grit at least make him serviceable on that end. He is a strong finisher in transition, especially above the rim, and he would definitely help fill the American Airlines Center with some more excitement due to his occasional ferocious slams.

Dallas basketball fans know him well, as he grew up in the area and won multiple state championships at Duncanville High School, and having him back in the city would be a great story for both parties involved.

This season, Holland is averaging 8.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 40.1 percent from the field, and he has become a key piece of the Pistons' rotation. His energy and tenacity have helped lead the Pistons to a 19-5 start, and Dallas would be unwise not to push for him in a trade involving Davis.

Defensively, he is an on-ball menace who has the quickness, size, and length to defend some of the best players in the NBA. Standing at 6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Holland has a similar frame to Herbert Jones, and the 20-year-old has the potential to develop into an All-Defensive player if his game continues to grow.

On top of Holland and Ivey, Detroit owns all of its own first-round picks through 2032. The Mavericks landing two first-round picks, along with some young talent, would be a dream come true if they move Davis, and they'd also be able to free up significant cap space.

The Pistons have multiple expiring contracts that they can send out in a Davis trade, like Tobias Harris' $26.6 million 2025-26 salary that expires over the summer, and the Mavs would be in a good spot to begin their rebuild around Flagg.

Landing a combination of expiring contracts, Ivey, Holland, and first-round draft capital may not seem like a massive haul for someone like Davis, but moving on and pivoting for the future seems like the best future plan for the franchise. There's still a chance that Dallas holds onto their star big man, but if it doesn't, it should work to get a deal done with Detroit.