Mavericks' dream target just became crystal clear after Anthony Davis injury

Dallas Mavericks fans are disappointed but not surprised at this point, hearing the news of Anthony Davis' latest injury. Regardless of whether Davis misses multiple months or just weeks, this should be the green light for Dallas to focus on tanking for BYU wing AJ Dybantsa.

The Mavs aren't in contention to make the playoffs as it is, as they are underneath the Memphis Grizzlies, who are 11th in the Western Conference. This should be a clear sign for the Mavs to tank with more than three months to go. They also have to make this draft pick count, as they don't control their own first-round pick until 2031.

The Mavs have something going with Cooper Flagg. They don't have to try to rebuild with a 19-year-old and an aging Davis, who's injured all the time at this point. The Mavs could make their own cheat code come true in the 2026 NBA Draft by getting Dybantsa.

Davis' injury should have Mavs trying to draft BYU star AJ Dybantsa

This is about the best outcome that could come out of such frustrating events for the Mavericks, as the Davis project never seemed to work out at all. Getting Flagg followed by a lottery pick in the next season is about the next best thing. Dybantsa should be the only thing that the Mavs should think about in the next few months to team up with Flagg.

Dybantsa is listed as a small forward, but his versatility is very similar to what Flagg brings. He has elite shotmaking, a high motor to attack the rim, and he's a high-IQ player, all skill sets much like Flagg.

The Mavs are at least in the top-10 in most mock drafts now, and their pick will continue to get better if they tank for the remainder of the season. With Dybantsa at around the No. 3 pick now, there's still a chance the Mavs could crack into that spot. Another name that could be in their favor now is Yaxel Landeborg, the senior from Michigan. He's an elite scorer from deep who isn't afraid to put the ball on the deck. He's also 6-foot-9, the same height as Dybantsa.

The Mavs should be in no rush to do anything, as the Davis injury isn't the only thing holding them back. Dereck Lively II and Dante Exum are also done for the season. Exum wasn't much of a surprise, but the Mavs took a brutal hit when they heard that Lively II wouldn't play. Kyrie Irving shouldn't rush back either, and with recent developments, don't be surprised if he doesn't see the court until the fall of 2026.

From the beginning, Nico Harrison's mess was on display, and he was eventually fired. Fans won't ever feel the same after the Luka Doncic trade, but there's a new era in Dallas with Flagg. It's time to build around him, and with 2026 being the only insurance Dallas has of a first-round pick for the next five years, they better not waste it.