Mavericks’ Slide Sparks Speculation, but Insiders Dismiss Anthony Davis–Warriors Trade Scenario

The Dallas Mavericks are sinking deeper into early-season trouble, and the franchise’s 5–14 start has triggered mounting scrutiny across the league. With injuries forcing constant lineup changes and inconsistency defining their play, trade speculation has proliferated — particularly surrounding star forward Anthony Davis.

Despite the chatter, prominent league voices have pushed back strongly on the idea of Davis being a realistic trade target for Golden State. Though the Warriors have searched for frontcourt stability for years, insiders say Davis’ health issues and contract situation make any pursuit improbable.

Jake Fischer of The Stein Line was among the first to pour cold water on the rumor, highlighting the gap between Davis’ theoretical value and his availability. The Mavericks star has missed extensive time since joining the team, raising obvious questions about whether he could reliably bolster Golden State’s interior rotation.

The speculation reflects not only Dallas’ precarious situation but also the broader pressure that emerges when high-salary stars fail to stay on the court. As the Mavericks search for a way out of their early-season slump, Davis’ extended absence has become central to the uncertainty surrounding their direction.

1. Injuries Cloud Davis’ Future

Davis has not played since October 29, when he exited seven minutes into a narrow win over the Indiana Pacers with a left calf strain. His four-point, four-rebound performance that night ended prematurely, extending a pattern of injuries that has followed him across multiple franchises. Since joining Dallas, Davis has missed 38 of the team’s first 52 regular-season games, numbers that have dramatically reduced his impact and complicated any potential trade calculus. For a Warriors team seeking reliability in the frontcourt, that level of unavailability is a significant deterrent. Fischer noted that Davis would theoretically be an ideal fit stylistically — a mobile rim protector and versatile scorer who could balance Golden State’s perimeter-heavy approach. But the 32-year-old’s durability issues, he said, represent “pause” enough to steer the Warriors toward safer alternatives. Through five games this season, Davis posted strong numbers: 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and meaningful contributions on both ends. On paper, he checks every box. In practice, his inability to stay on the floor makes him a difficult asset for contenders to trust.

2. Warriors Regain Footing

While Dallas continues its slide, Golden State has recently stabilized. The Warriors snapped a three-game losing streak with a convincing 134–117 win over the Utah Jazz, improving to 10–9 and regaining some momentum during a crucial homestand. They now turn to a high-profile NBA Cup matchup against the Houston Rockets, a contest that could determine their fate within West Group C. Golden State enters the game at 1–2 in group play with a -27 point differential, leaving little margin for error. The Warriors’ improvement has not shifted their stance on Davis, according to insiders. Even if the team sought a major roster upgrade, pursuing the Mavericks’ star would require expensive assets — including one of their cornerstone veterans. With the organization believed to be unwilling to move Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green, insiders say any theoretical pathway to Davis has been effectively closed.

3. Financial and Roster Realities

Beyond availability concerns, Davis’ contract represents another major hurdle. He is in the first year of a three-year, $175.3 million extension originally signed with the Lakers before being dealt to Dallas, a commitment that significantly narrows the pool of teams able or willing to absorb his salary. Cap expert Brett Siegel noted that acquiring Davis would require Golden State to part with top-tier talent, plus additional pieces to match salary — a price the franchise has shown no interest in paying. Given the Warriors’ insistence on retaining their core, Siegel characterized a Davis trade as “essentially ended” before serious talks could begin. For the Mavericks, the size of Davis’ deal also complicates any attempt to reshape the roster around him. Moving such a contract would require both willingness and opportunity, two factors that currently appear limited. As Dallas approaches the final game of its road trip against the 13–4 Lakers, the team faces increasing pressure to stabilize its season while navigating uncertainty around one of its most polarizing players.