Anthony Davis, the Dallas Mavericks’ forward acquired in the trade involving Luka Doncic from the Los Angeles Lakers, remains recognized as one of the Western Conference’s premier players heading into the next NBA season. His combination of skill on both offense and defense keeps him among the elite, even though injuries have limited his availability since joining Dallas.
NBA analyst John Schuhmann highlighted Davis as a key figure among the top 10 Western Conference players for the upcoming season, emphasizing both his talent and the health challenges that have accompanied his career in Texas.
Assessment of Davis’s impact and durability challenges
Schuhmann noted the critical factor that will define Davis’s success is his ability to maintain good health. Elaborating, he wrote,
“It’s all about good health with Davis, yesterday, today and tomorrow. He couldn’t even make it through his first season —heck, first game— with the Mavericks without grabbing a body part,”
—John Schuhmann, NBA Analyst
Despite his physical fragility, Schuhmann praised Davis’s exceptional two-way play, explaining,
“Such is life with one of the most accomplished two-way players of this generation. Make no mistake: Davis has few peers when it comes to doing work at both ends and should confirm as much in 2025-26. His shooting range and post-up skills draw double teams, while his rebounding and shot-blocking make him nearly impossible to replace. Unfortunately, his constant fragility puts his teams in such a position.”
—John Schuhmann, NBA Analyst
These remarks underscore how Davis’s value stems from his versatile offensive threats and defensive presence, which make him a cornerstone for the Mavericks when he is healthy.
Western Conference stars shaping the league’s future
Alongside Davis, Schuhmann named a group of established and emerging stars expected to influence the Western Conference landscape. This list features Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Oklahoma City Thunder, Anthony Edwards with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Luka Doncic representing the Los Angeles Lakers, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant from the Houston Rockets, Kawhi Leonard with the Los Angeles Clippers, LeBron James also on the Lakers, and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.
As veterans like LeBron James, Durant, and Curry remain influential, a new generation, including players like Dallas’s Cooper Flagg, is preparing to rise. Flagg is viewed as the Mavericks’ future cornerstone, expected to succeed Davis when the time comes.
Mavericks balancing present talent with developing future prospects
For now, Davis continues to be a central figure for the Mavericks, who are aiming to build both their offense and defense around his talents. The team faces a strategic crossroads as they weigh how to blend Davis’s immediate contributions with the growth of younger players like Flagg.
The organization is taking a cautious approach, stepping back for the offseason before training camp opens, preparing to integrate these evolving dynamics into their 2025-26 campaign.
This transitional phase could shape Dallas’s performance long term, as they balance reliance on Davis’s skill with fostering future potential on their roster.