Mavericks' dream Anthony Davis trade just surfaced after blockbuster proposal

Just 16 days away from the NBA trade deadline, there's still skepticism over whether the Dallas Mavericks will be able to trade Anthony Davis or not, but they would undoubtedly need to consider the Charlotte Hornets if they entered the race for Davis. In a mock deal first proposed by James Piercey of Dallas Hoops Journal, the Mavericks would be sending Davis to the Hornets in exchange for their 2027 first-round pick back, Miles Bridges, and Collin Sexton.

From a pure talent standpoint, the Mavericks couldn't deny this deal if it came across the office of co-interim GMs Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi. Rumors are already out that Dallas may have to settle for a package of expiring contracts for Davis, and this package would help them have more leverage in terms of building their future around Flagg by getting their pick back, as well as giving them two talented veterans in Bridges and Sexton.

This Anthony Davis offer from Charlotte would be irresistable for Dallas

The appeal for the Hornets in this deal would be getting Davis to fortify their back line, especially given the perimeter defense issues they've run into with Kon Knueppel and LaMelo Ball playing significant minutes for them. Davis could help mitigate mistakes from Charlotte's backcourt on defense, but it's hard to imagine the Hornets would even give up this much to get Davis in the first place.

Despite a promising recent stretch, the Hornets still sit at 16-27, placing them three games out of the East's last play-in spot. Their young trio of Ball, Knueppel, and Brandon Miller is definitely starting to look like it could turn into something, but they are far from a championship contender, so swinging for an injury-riddled Davis probably isn't in their cards right now.

Davis would be a great mentor to young center Ryan Kalkbrenner, and he may even help push the Hornets to a playoff spot if he can stay on the court down the stretch of the season. However, the Hornets are giving up a lot to Dallas in this instance, especially if Davis' value is as low as speculated. While it makes sense why the Hornets haven't been mentioned as a Davis suitor yet, the Mavs would be fools not to try to bargain with Charlotte over a Davis deal if they are interested.

Sexton and Bridges are both capable three-level scorers, and they would give the Mavericks an influx of offense that could catapult them to another level next season once they theoretically have a healthy Kyrie Irving to start the season.

Sexton competes relentlessly on defense despite his natural limitations, and Bridges isn't a slouch on that end given his elite athleticism, so the Mavericks would get way deeper and have more say over their future from getting their pick back in this deal.

Again, the Hornets haven't been mentioned as a rumored suitor for Davis by anyone, but their asset pool is extremely intriguing compared to most of the teams middling between the bottom and middle of the pack in the league. On paper, they don't have a lot of incentive to do this deal, unless they think their core could be dangerous around Davis and other pieces next season, but if they were to get desperate and offer a package like this to Dallas, the Mavericks can't think twice about accepting.