Anthony Davis was seen in Los Angeles on Wednesday during Klutch Sports’ pro day ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, accompanied by Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd and general manager Nico Harrison. Harrison, who previously worked as a Nike executive before becoming the Mavericks’ GM, maintains a close relationship with Davis, making it difficult to imagine the team trading away the seasoned star. However, if Harrison opts to follow up on the bold move that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, a deal sending Davis to the San Antonio Spurs could be in the cards.
Harrison’s chief objective following the Luka Doncic trade was to build a championship-contending roster within two to three years. The current salary cap rules for apron teams, however, have made it increasingly challenging for franchises to sustain dominant dynasties, forcing teams to rethink their paths forward in the evolving NBA landscape.
Rebuilding trends and Spurs’ strategic options
With franchises like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Detroit Pistons possessing promising young cores capable of competing in the near future, the Spurs remain in a contest looking for the right superstar addition. Although San Antonio’s preferred target would be Giannis Antetokounmpo, should the Greek Freak decide to stay loyal to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Spurs would likely consider a strong alternative in Anthony Davis, a proven star when healthy.
Pairing Davis with the Spurs’ recent No. 1 overall pick, Victor Wembanyama, could create the most formidable defensive duo in the NBA, significantly enhancing San Antonio’s prospects and reshaping their competitive outlook for upcoming seasons.
A mock trade scenario: Spurs acquire Anthony Davis as Mavericks pivot to youth
The Dallas Mavericks’ luck turned this year when they won the lottery and secured the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, despite having only a 1.8% chance. They are projected to select Cooper Flagg, who is widely regarded as the top prospect in this draft class. At 32 years old and carrying the weight of past injuries, Anthony Davis does not have time to wait for Flagg to develop into an All-Star. Furthermore, the upcoming season seems bleak for Dallas, with Kyrie Irving expected to miss significant time due to an ACL tear.
These factors might encourage Nico Harrison to complete the transition started by trading Luka Doncic by moving Davis to the Spurs. In a plausible trade, the Mavericks could receive young talent and valuable draft capital, while the Spurs bolster their roster with a high-impact veteran. The mock trade would look like this:
Mavericks Receive:
- Devin Vassell
- Keldon Johnson
- Stephon Castle
- No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft
Spurs Receive:
- Anthony Davis
This would give Dallas an expansive young core featuring Cooper Flagg alongside Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Keldon Johnson, and Dereck Lively II, with options to develop either Ace Bailey or Dylan Harper as complementary players. Harrison and the Mavericks’ fanbase could then patiently await this group’s growth and position themselves as contenders as teams like the Thunder or Rockets naturally regress in the coming years.
Meanwhile, the Spurs would form a trio of stars anchored by De’Aaron Fox, Victor Wembanyama, and Anthony Davis, offering immediate championship potential. While San Antonio still hopes to lure Giannis Antetokounmpo, Davis provides a formidable second choice if the Bucks star opts to remain in Milwaukee.
Significance of the potential partnership for the NBA
A partnership between Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Davis could redefine NBA defense, combining Wembanyama’s unprecedented length and mobility with Davis’s veteran presence and versatility. This duo has the potential to intimidate opponents on both ends, elevate the Spurs’ defensive schemes, and influence how other teams approach roster construction in the era of dominant two-way players.
Though there are no official reports indicating the Mavericks intend to trade Davis at this time, and rumors suggest San Antonio focuses on Giannis Antetokounmpo, this mock trade scenario underlines how quickly the NBA landscape can shift as franchises pursue different rebuilding strategies. Such moves could pressure other teams to rethink their plans and generate new rivalries around defensive excellence.