Mavericks taking measured approach to possible Anthony Davis deal

Anthony Davis is not supposed to be available. After all, he’s injured (yet again). But in this league, supposed to only means so much.

Despite Davis being sidelined with a wrist injury, the Mavericks have reopened trade conversations involving the All-Star forward, per ESPN’s Shams Charania and Bobby Marks. That said, Dallas is not operating with urgency, nor panic.

Team owner Patrick Dumont is not going to sign off on a deal just to do a deal, a source told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “Ownership doesn’t feel any pressure to do an AD deal,” the source added.

If a move happens before the Feb. 5 deadline, it would fit a growing trend of teams trading for injured stars with an eye on next season. Think Toronto’s Brandon Ingram deal last February. Think Washington rolling the dice on Trae Young.

Davis could return in time for a playoff run, but the larger play would be long-term.

Davis is owed $54.1 million this season, followed by $58.5 million and $62.8 million, with a player option in the final year. On August 6, he becomes eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension. That is real money. And real risk.

Dallas does have other attractive pieces for contenders, including Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson and Daniel Gafford. All are under contract through at least next season, with Gafford’s three-year extension kicking in for 2026-27.

The financial math complicates everything. The Mavericks sit over the first apron, just $1.1 million below the second apron hard cap, and project to exceed it next season if the roster stays intact.

Translation: Any big swing has to be calculated. Not emotional. Not rushed. And definitely not cheap.