Mavericks may have golden trade ticket thanks to latest Knicks rumor

The Dallas Mavericks are planning to gauge the trade market for Anthony Davis ahead of this year’s deadline. They probably already have been for months. But a new opportunity may have just appeared. The New York Knicks could potentially look to move on from Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Mavs need to at least do their due diligence.

Towns wouldn’t be a perfect fit in Dallas. But he’s an objectively talented basketball player. His three-point shooting and rebounding could make him an intriguing fit alongside Cooper Flagg and the rest of the Mavericks’ core. And if nothing else, getting him might be some of the best value they’ll find in a potential Davis trade.

The question is, how realistic is it?

Mavericks should ask Knicks about an Anthony Davis for Karl-Anthony Towns trade

For the Mavs, it makes some solid sense. Obviously, they want to stay somewhat young, but Flagg is already an incredibly talented player. So, why not surround him with talent?

(Note: Davis and Towns cannot be traded for one another straight up because of each team’s apron status, so a third team would have to get involved to take on a minimum salary from each side. The Brooklyn Nets could be a solid candidate.)

Towns is still an All-Star. He’s been a great scorer and rebounder in the NBA for a long, long time. Having him at the center position would create some very intriguing lineups in Dallas.

Plus, when Dereck Lively II comes back from his injury next year, the Mavericks could run some very big lineups with him, Towns, and Flagg at the three, four, and five.

And based on the way things have unfolded, especially with Davis’ injury history, there probably isn’t a huge trade market for the star Mavericks big man right now.

However, the Knicks could be entering desperate territory. They’ve been struggling a lot this season, particularly on the defensive end of the court, and a healthy Davis would help them with that a lot.

But that’s the question, isn’t it? Can Davis stay healthy?

Right now, he’s not healthy. And there’s a chance he may not be all season. But if the Knicks can get him healthy for a playoff run, then it could drastically improve their chances of winning the East.

His defensive abilities would completely change everything about the way the Knicks are able to play on that side of the ball, and he’s still a dominant offensive player.

New York may have no interest in such a move. They probably won’t want to risk trading away Towns for a guy who may not be healthy, no matter the overall upside.

But the Mavericks should at least check in. Because if there’s a deal to be done, it could be worth it.