Mavericks just signaled a massive update on Anthony Davis' return

The Dallas Mavericks are in the middle of one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, as they have failed to replicate the same success from their outstanding 2023-24 season while also trading franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic before the trade deadline. No one expected the team to trade Doncic, and Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving now hold the keys to the franchise.

Davis and Irving will eventually have the chance to lead the Mavs to the NBA Finals, but it doesn't look like it'll be this year. Irving tore his ACL earlier this month, and Davis has also been out with an adductor strain.

Davis went down in his Mavericks debut with this adductor strain, and even though he didn't think it was serious at first, it has caused him to miss the last 18 games. During this time Davis has been out, the Mavericks have slid down the standings, as they are now the No. 11 seed and out of the Play-In Tournament.

Mavericks' latest roster move signals Anthony Davis' return

This was the last place Mavericks fans expected them to be after making the NBA Finals next season, but it sounds like help is on the way. Davis has been progressing toward an in-season return for some time now, and it sounds like his return to the floor will be on the team's four-game road trip which starts tomorrow in Brooklyn.

Jason Kidd and the Mavericks have been extremely vague when it comes to their updates on Davis' recovery, which isn't out of the ordinary for them, but they finally updated fans in the one way that they typically hint at a player returning soon. Dallas upgraded Davis to doubtful for tomorrow's game against the Brooklyn Nets, which may not seem to mean much, but it is a clear sign from them that he is recovering from his injury well and nearing a return.

The Mavericks need Davis back badly, as they have to start carving out some wins now in order to secure a spot in the Play-In Tournament, and he is eager to return as well. Over the last month and a half, Davis has been heavily underrated by Mavs fans, largely because he was the player the Mavericks landed in the trade for Doncic, and he is going to have the chance to remind everyone how dominant he is soon.

This season, Davis is averaging 25.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game, and he'll have the chance to become one of the best two-way players in Mavericks history. Davis remains one of the best defenders in the NBA whose scoring is also outstanding, and he'll be looking to show off his entire bag once he comes back.

With the Mavericks being so injured, Davis is going to have his work cut out for him when it comes to leading them to the Play-In Tournament and earning a playoff spot, but he is more than capable. He has been excited to return for weeks now, and while his return likely won't be enough to yield a deep playoff run, he'll have the chance to get fans engaged again and fired up for next season.