The absence of Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks may actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise—here’s why. For the third time in his brief 11-month stint with the team, Davis is set to miss an extended period due to injury. His latest setback happened late in the fourth quarter of a game against the Utah Jazz, when he sustained ligament damage to his left hand while defending Lauri Markkanen’s drive to the hoop. According to a league source, Davis will consult a hand specialist to determine whether surgery is necessary—though even if surgery isn’t required, he is expected to be sidelined for several weeks. This injury certainly complicates the Mavericks’ situation, especially since Davis was already a player they were considering trading before his latest injury setback.
So, what does this mean for the Mavericks and Davis, especially given that Dallas was attempting to move him prior to his injury? The consensus among NBA insiders is that Dallas won't be able to finalize a trade for Davis before the February 5 deadline. His trade value has already been compromised due to his hefty contract (which pays him $58.5 million next season with an option for $62.8 million in 2027-28) and ongoing concerns about his durability. The hand injury only diminishes his perceived worth further.
However, there might be a silver lining for Mavericks fans—namely, that the team’s prospects for this season now look bleak. This season, Dallas has had a record of 10-10 when Davis plays, but a dismal 4-14 in the games he’s missed. Overall, their performance metrics show they’ve been playing at an 18-win pace without him—an oddly encouraging sign if you’re looking toward the future.
Why is this good news? Because, after this season, the Mavericks won't hold complete control over their first-round pick until 2031. This means acquiring a franchise-changing star in this upcoming draft is more critical than ever. Last spring, Dallas hit the jackpot by winning the rights to select Cooper Flagg—an exceptional teenage talent who has already demonstrated the potential of a future NBA star. At just 19, Flagg has already scored 42 points in a game against Utah and narrowly missed becoming the youngest player ever to record a triple-double during a rematch in December.
Despite Flagg’s early promise, the Mavericks will need to surround him with additional elite young talent to compete effectively in the league, particularly against their top-tier regional rivals—the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder have built their recent success by accumulating high-potential draft picks, such as Josh Giddey (drafted at No. 6 in 2022) and Chet Holmgren (drafted No. 2 in 2023), both of whom have shown they can contribute significantly on both ends of the court. Holmgren, for example, excels as a rim protector and offers efficient offensive skills.
Meanwhile, the Spurs have secured top-four picks in each of the past three drafts, selecting Victor Wembanyama (No. 1 in 2023), Stephon Castle (No. 4 in 2024), and Dylan Harper (No. 2 last year). These highly touted prospects exemplify the strategy of building a competitive team through smart drafting and development.
So, the Mavericks need to identify a complementary star for Flagg in this year’s draft—potentially another player who could transform the team’s outlook. Paradoxically, Davis’ injury could work in Dallas’s favor by increasing their chances of getting a high lottery pick. Without Davis, the likelihood of finishing with a worse record rises, which could propel the Mavericks into the top four of the draft order again. Currently, they have about a 26.3% chance of securing a top-four pick. Even with their struggles, they are unlikely to finish worse than teams like the Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans, or Sacramento Kings.
However, with Davis out, teams such as the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers could be in danger of finishing with worse records, possibly securing even higher picks, which could influence Dallas’s draft positioning. The injury highlights a fundamental truth: building a successful team in the NBA requires multiple high-level lottery picks—something Dallas has been struggling to accumulate.
Looking ahead, Dallas can revisit trade discussions for Davis during the off-season. For now, their best strategy is to embrace the process of losing intentionally, a task made easier with their star player sidelined and unlikely to help them win many more games. This period of intentional rebuilding might just set the stage for a brighter future—if they make the correct draft choices. But here’s where it gets controversial: can a team truly build through the draft alone, or is it always about the stars you trade for? What’s your take—do Dallas’s current circumstances put them on the right path or set them back? Share your thoughts in the comments!
