Mavericks determined not to grant Rich Paul's Anthony Davis wish

There have been plenty of whispers about the Dallas Mavericks potentially trading Anthony Davis. But one thing is for sure: whether or not AD is traded, the Mavs aren't going to do so because of external pressure, and they made that very clear recently.

ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported that “it is very clear that Rich Paul wants Anthony Davis traded before the trade deadline," also adding that the team will not allow Paul to “bully” them into trading Davis.

This is the right move from the organization for a couple of reasons. Firstly, holding your ground amid outside pressure is always the right move, especially when the noise is coming from someone as influential as the Klutch Sports CEO. Paul can speak his mind all he wants, and he can have his opinions about where he wants his clients to go. But that doesn't mean the Mavericks have to answer to him.

Secondly, there's certainly an argument to be made that trading AD would be premature. Sure, he just suffered another injury that calls his availability into question once again. But deciding to keep him around would be about his long-term fit as a veteran for Cooper Flagg, and a stabilizing force on the interior.

The Mavericks won't allow themselves to be bullied into a trade

This franchise just pivoted into a new era, and that requires a lot more patience than some fans are ready for. Davis isn’t being asked to carry a contender on his back every night. He’s around so that he can help show a young core what professional winning habits actually look like, all while anchoring the defense.

That’s especially relevant with Flagg as the franchise player of the future. Having a veteran big who understands spacing and defensive positioning can accelerate Flagg’s learning curve in ways a collection of younger stopgaps simply can’t. Even if Davis isn’t playing 60 or 70 games a season, his presence still carries plenty of value.

The Mavericks also aren’t boxed into some urgent timeline. They don’t need to flip Davis immediately just to prove a point or appease outside voices. If the right deal comes along that clearly advances the long-term plan, that’s one thing. Making a rushed move because of pressure would only undermine the control Dallas has worked to re-establish.

In a league where stars and agents often dictate the terms, there’s something refreshing about a front office willing to slow things down and make decisions on their own terms. The Mavericks don’t owe anyone a trade, and it's great to see them have the patience to see what this roster can become.

If Davis eventually gets moved, it should be because Dallas decided the time was right, not because someone else tried to force their hand. Keeping AD around should be the priority right now.