The Dallas Mavericks’ 9-16 start to the season prompted questions surrounding their future direction. Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg got off to a slower start but has found his groove and looks like the face of the franchise going forward. Dallas could opt to start a quick rebuild around Flagg and their first-round pick next summer from a deep draft class.

This means trading away Anthony Davis. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, three teams could be interested in trading for the 32-year-old star.

Three Teams Poised To Make a Move For Anthony Davis

Charania reported the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, and Atlanta Hawks could acquire Davis before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Interestingly, he did not mention any teams in the Western Conference.

The Mavericks’ first-round pick next summer remains their only first-round selection until 2031.

Dallas could move Davis for a mix of young prospects and/or draft capital to restock its collection. The franchise might get lucky again next summer and pick up a second franchise centerpiece to put next to Flagg.

Detroit Pistons Trade for Davis

The Pistons took a big leap last season, making the playoffs for the first time since 2019. They jumped to even bigger heights this campaign, sitting atop the Eastern Conference with a 19-5 record.

Detroit has the necessary young talent, salary filler, and draft capital that could entice Dallas in a deal for Davis. A trade centered around Jaden Ivey, Ron Holland, Tobias Harris, and a first-round pick could make sense.

The Pistons rank fourth in defensive rating at 111.3. Adding Davis would provide an even bigger boost to their defense, and his physical play style matches Detroit’s hustle. Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and Davis would form a deadly trio. However, Detroit’s spacing would take a big hit, as Duncan Robinson and Cunningham become the only threats from beyond the arc.

Toronto Raptors Make a Splash

The Raptors have had a roller coaster of a season. They won one of their first five games but turned the campaign around, winning 14 of their next 15. They now enter the Emirates NBA Cup knockout stage having lost five of their last six contests.

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The Raptors have plenty of first-round picks to offer Dallas for Davis. However, a deal requires trading their big contracts to match Davis’ $54.1 million he is owed this season. This likely means trading essential starters such as Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and/or Jakob Poeltl.

Davis fits seamlessly next to Scottie Barnes and Poeltl defensively, but the Raptors rank 27th in 3-point volume, taking 31.8 threes per game. Barnes and Davis both like operating in the high post and mid-range, and the offensive fit does not mesh well on paper.

Atlanta Hawks Acquire Davis

Jalen Johnson’s rise to All-Star status puts the Hawks in a position to pair him and Trae Young with another star. Onyeka Okongwu’s 3-point shooting leap paves the perfect path for Davis to start next to him.

Unlike Toronto, the Hawks have enough shooters around Davis for him to operate in the post with proper spacing.

However, Atlanta is the third-youngest team in the league in terms of average age. As a result, it does not have to “send the farm” right away. The Hawks could offer Kristaps Porziņģis, Luke Kennard, and a first-round pick for Davis.