Mavericks could repeat trade deadline disasterclass by sending out Anthony Davis

ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Tuesday that Anthony Davis' agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, met with Dallas Mavericks' interim co-general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi to discuss AD's future with the organization, whether that be a trade or an extension next summer. Dallas wants to see how the next few weeks go, but if the team decides to trade Davis, they can't rush a deal.

The Mavericks won't come close to getting what they gave up for AD in a return package. No one will ever be able to justify what was going through Nico Harrison's head when he moved forward with what will go down as the worst trade in NBA history. Dallas can still get a solid return for Davis, though, and it helps that teams like the Pistons, Hawks, and Raptors are expected to be interested, as Charania reported.

Now that Harrison is gone, Mavericks fans don't have to worry (as much) about the front office making rash decisions. Patrick Dumont is more involved now. He did sign off on the Dončić trade, but he realized, although it was too little, too late, how far it set the organization back. It also helps that Mark Cuban is back in the mix after Harrison shut him out.

Mavericks have to be careful with an Anthony Davis trade

If Detroit truly is interested in getting AD to boost its chances of making a deep run in the East, the Mavericks should be happy to agree to a deal with the Pistons. The Pistons have the young talent the Mavericks should want to surround Cooper Flagg with. They could get a player like Jaden Ivey, the No. 5 pick in the 2022 draft, who is 23, and could maybe manage to get a couple of first-round picks from Detroit.

Of course, when it comes to Davis, there isn't a question about what kind of player he is, but instead if he can stay on the court. He hasn't consistently been in the lineup since Dallas traded for him due to a few different injuries. At 32 years old, concerns about his injury history will only grow.

Dallas could benefit from the East being wide open, though, hence the list of teams that should be in the mix for Davis. The Mavericks can use that to their advantage if they do make AD available, which they should. They'll never be able to get Luka back (if only), but they can help set themselves on the right path with an optimal return.