As the Dallas Mavericks assess their long-term direction after firing general manager Nico Harrison, one of the most aggressive hypothetical scenarios comes from Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor. He outlined eight potential Anthony Davis trades as part of a full reset, beginning with a deal built around the Atlanta Hawks.
The concept sends rookie forward Asa Newell, veteran center Kristaps Porziņģis, guard Luke Kennard and two future first-round picks to Dallas. In return, the Hawks would acquire Davis, who remains the centerpiece of any teardown discussion.
O’Connor argues the Mavericks should pivot fully toward Cooper Flagg’s timeline. With limited draft control over the next several years, he frames the 2026 draft class as an opportunity Dallas cannot afford to miss.
Davis, 32, has been productive when on the floor, but O’Connor notes he would immediately become the top player on the trade market. He has one more guaranteed year left after this season, adding urgency to the Mavericks’ decision-making.
How the Atlanta Hawks Package Fits the Dallas Mavericks
Porziņģis and Kennard are included primarily as expiring salary. Their combined $41 million would give the Mavericks room to reshape the roster and regain flexibility.
Newell is presented as the key asset. The Hawks’ rookie offers size, versatility, and long-term upside — the type of player O’Connor believes should be targeted to grow alongside Flagg.
Atlanta also has the draft capital to include multiple appealing picks. For a franchise that doesn’t control its own first-rounders for much of the decade, O’Connor identifies this as one of the most valuable elements of the deal.
He argues that Dallas needs to avoid drifting into the middle. When healthy, the roster is good enough to chase a play-in spot, but not nearly strong enough to contend. That outcome, in his view, is the worst-case scenario.
Why Atlanta Hawks Would Consider It
O’Connor writes that Porziņģis has not met early-season expectations. His POTS condition adds long-term uncertainty that Atlanta must consider.
Davis carries his own availability concerns, but still raises the Hawks’ overall ceiling. His presence alongside the team’s scoring core could give Atlanta a defensive and interior anchor that Porziņģis has struggled to provide.
The Eastern Conference remains relatively open. O’Connor frames the move as a calculated risk if the Hawks believe they are one major upgrade away from climbing the standings.
Where This Leaves the Dallas Mavericks
O’Connor’s position is that the Mavericks should explore any path that maximizes their odds of drafting another foundational piece next summer. Trading Davis would be the first major step in that process.
The proposal gives Dallas draft capital, a young frontcourt prospect, and meaningful cap flexibility. It also shifts the franchise firmly toward Flagg’s timeline while improving its positioning for the 2026 draft.
Whether Dallas ultimately embraces a rebuild remains to be seen. But the Hawks proposal illustrates the type of return O’Connor believes the Mavericks could command if they choose to move Davis.
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