Anthony Davis Trade Rumors Explode as Insider Drops Update Mavericks Fans Crave

On January 3, 2026, the Dallas Mavericks’ fanbase finally received the news they had been desperately waiting for since the Luka Dončić trade 11 months earlier. Marc Stein, the most connected Mavericks insider in the business, published a bombshell Substack update titled “Mavericks Ready to Move On From Anthony Davis — And Soon.” In it, Stein reported that the Mavericks’ interim front office (Michael Finley & Matt Riccardi) has informed rival executives that Anthony Davis is officially available in trade discussions and that Dallas is prioritizing three specific return packages:

1. A massive haul of future first-round picks + salary relief
2. A young All-Star-level wing (22-26 years old) on a rookie-scale or team-friendly deal
3. A combination of high-upside prospects + unprotected firsts

Stein added the line Mavericks fans have been dying to hear for months: “Multiple league sources now describe Dallas as ‘highly motivated’ to move Davis before the February 5 deadline, even if it means accepting 60-70 cents on the dollar in return value.”

Within hours the rumor mill detonated. Twitter/X timelines filled with #FreeAD and “Thank God” memes, while podcasts and YouTube channels churned out emergency content. After nearly a year of watching a hobbled Davis limp through games and the franchise sink to 12-23, the idea that the Dončić trade nightmare might finally end felt real.

Stein’s Full Report: The Key Details

According to Stein and corroborated by Shams Charania and Jake Fischer:

• Dallas has already held exploratory talks with six playoff-caliber teams in the past 10 days.
• The Mavericks are willing to attach their own 2026 or 2028 first-round pick (lightly protected) to sweeten deals if it means shedding Davis’ $62.7 million player option for 2027-28.
• AD has been informed he will be traded and has given Dallas a list of five preferred destinations (believed to include Golden State, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and Phoenix).
• The asking price has dropped dramatically from “untouchable” in November to “let’s get this done” in January.

Most importantly, Stein wrote: “The Mavericks no longer view Davis as part of their long-term future alongside Cooper Flagg. They are ready to pivot fully into a youth-and-assets rebuild even if it means eating crow on the Dončić trade.”

Why Now? The Perfect Storm of Motivation

Several factors collided in the first 72 hours of 2026 to push Dallas over the edge:

1. Anthony Davis’ Latest Injury Scare On January 1 vs. Philadelphia, Davis aggravated his adductor strain and left after 24 minutes. He is now listed as week-to-week, marking the 14th separate injury absence since the trade.
2. Cooper Flagg’s Rapid Ascension The 19-year-old rookie is already averaging 19.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks. League sources say Mark Cuban and Patrick Dumont see Flagg—not a 31-year-old injury-prone center—as the franchise cornerstone.
3. Kyrie Irving’s Uncertain Timeline Irving’s ACL recovery has hit setbacks; the latest projections have him returning no earlier than April or May 2026. Dallas no longer wants to pay luxury tax on a 12-23 team.
4. The Tax Bill Looms The Mavericks are on pace for a $45+ million tax bill with zero momentum. Dumping Davis’ salary entirely would drop them below the second apron and restore future flexibility.
5. Fan Revolt Reaches Breaking Point Attendance is down 18% year-over-year. Season-ticket renewals for 2026-27 are reportedly catastrophic. Ownership finally acknowledged that keeping Davis just to “save face” on the Dončić trade is no longer tenable.

The Five Most Realistic Trade Destinations (As of January 3)

1. Golden State Warriors

Status: Most advanced talks Possible framework: Davis ↔ Jonathan Kuminga + Brandin Podziemski + 2026, 2028, 2030 first-round picks (top-5 protected) Warriors hesitation: Draymond Green’s $25.8M salary would need to be included for matching, and Steve Kerr refuses to move him.

2. Miami Heat

Status: Extremely aggressive Possible framework: Davis ↔ Jimmy Butler ($54M straight swap) + Nikola Jović + 2028 first Why it works: Butler wants out of Miami, Heat need a star big for one last Bam-Butler-AD run, salaries match perfectly.

3. New York Knicks

Status: Dark horse but gaining steam Possible framework: Davis ↔ Julius Randle + Mitchell Robinson + two unprotected firsts (2027, 2029) Knicks have the assets and the desire to pair AD with Brunson/Bridges/Anunoby.

4. Phoenix Suns

Status: Long shot but AD’s preferred landing spot Possible framework: Davis ↔ Kevin Durant (sign-and-trade if KD requests out) Durant-to-Dallas rumors have quietly resurfaced as a contingency.

5. Philadelphia 76ers

Status: Monitoring Possible framework: Davis ↔ Paul George + 2028 first + pick swaps George’s injury history makes Philly reluctant, but pairing AD with Embiid and Maxey would create the most dominant frontcourt in basketball.

Mavericks Fans Finally Exhale

For the first time since February 2025, there is genuine hope in Dallas. Social media reaction was euphoric:

• “I haven’t smiled this hard since the 2011 Finals”
• “If we get Kuminga + three firsts I will name my firstborn Cooper Flagg Cuban”
• “Nico Harrison’s ghost is finally being exorcised”

Even Luka Dončić, in his post-game press conference after dropping 38 on the Timberwolves, was asked about the rumors. His response: a sly grin and “I wish AD the best wherever he goes.”

The Bigger Picture

Trading Anthony Davis before February 5 would achieve three things Mavericks fans have begged for:

1. Admit the Dončić trade was a mistake without having to say the words.
2. Recoup assets that can be flipped again or used to surround Flagg.
3. End the nightly reminder of the worst transaction in franchise history.

As one Western Conference executive told Stein: “Dallas is finally waving the white flag on the ‘defense wins championships’ experiment. They’re ready to build the right way — through youth and draft capital — even if it means taking a short-term PR hit.”

For a fanbase that has suffered through 11 months of pain, the idea that the Anthony Davis era could end as soon as February 4 feels like salvation.

The rumors have exploded. The update has dropped. And for the first time in a long time, Mavericks fans can go to sleep believing tomorrow might actually be better than today.

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