NBA Rumors: Mavericks, Anthony Davis, Grizzlies, Ja Morant, Sixers

Mavericks

People around the league are starting to talk about Anthony Davis, and not in the way Dallas hoped.

Christian Clark of The Athletic wrote that multiple scouts and coaches think Davis doesn’t look as mobile as he normally does.

Some of this traces back to training camp. Davis was listed at 268 pounds — or 15 pounds heavier than last season in L.A.

His Mavs availability has been choppy too. Davis has played 14 games and already missed 26 since arriving.

He suffered a left adductor strain in his Dallas debut last February and missed 18 in a row.

This season he limped off with a calf strain on Oct. 29, and that has already cost him three more.

Dallas traded Luka Doncic to get him. Doncic is averaging 40.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 9.2 assists for the Lakers right now.

Dallas is 2-7, last in the Western Conference. Davis is averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks.

He is 32 and owed $54.1 million this season, $58.5 million next season, and holds a $62.8 million player option for 2027–28. The résumé is still Hall-of-Fame caliber.

But the Mavs need health, mobility, and availability.

Grizzlies

Ashish Mathur of Dallas Hoops Journal reported that Ja Morant “hates” playing for Coach Tuomas Iisalo.

The issue is the rotation style — mass subs, short shifts — which Morant believes prevents rhythm and flow.

Morant, 26, is averaging 20.0 points and shooting 38.3 percent from the field, and just 14 percent from deep. He has not asked out.

But league execs believe Minnesota and Sacramento are monitoring the situation, per Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Morant will make $39.4 million this season. Then $42.2 million. Then $44.9 million.

Memphis is 3-6. And Morant recently said he’s not playing with any “joy.”

76ers

Quentin Grimes has become one of the best sixth men so far. He signed his $8.7 million qualifying offer, will be unrestricted next summer, and is making it count.

“The opportunity that coach is giving me provides a lot of freedom out there on the court,” he said, via Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “The minutes he gave me are starter minutes to come off the bench at this point.”

Through eight games he’s averaging 18.3 points, 4.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals on .465/.385/.791 shooting.

Along the way, he’s setting himself up to get paid in July.