Anthony Davis enters the Anthony Davis Mavericks 2025 season positioned to deliver the best performance of his career, benefiting from an ideal combination of opportunity and support at 32 years old. Following a high-profile February trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers, Davis joined the Dallas Mavericks alongside Max Christie and a future first-round pick, setting the stage for a new chapter in his NBA journey.
New Leadership Role and Team Dynamics in Dallas
Unlike his time in Los Angeles, where LeBron James shared the spotlight, or New Orleans, where championship aspirations were limited, Davis now assumes the clear role of Dallas’s primary star. General Manager Nico Harrison has constructed a well-rounded Mavericks roster centered around Davis and veteran guard Kyrie Irving, raising hopes that this frank star status will maximize Davis’ impact. His brief initial tenure in Dallas—just nine games—already showed encouraging results, averaging 20 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists with a 46.1% shooting rate. A full season in this environment could push those numbers even higher.
Strengthened Frontcourt and Defensive Support
The Mavericks’ roster depth around Davis is robust, especially in the frontcourt, where Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford provide vital support. This allows Davis to spend more time in his favored power forward position, which may help reduce physical strain and improve durability. Additionally, defensive contributors like rookie Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington, and Naji Marshall ease the defensive responsibilities on Davis, while shooters such as Klay Thompson and Max Christie create spacing that benefits the team’s offensive strategy.
The Impact of Kyrie Irving’s Return and Offensive Strategy
With Kyrie Irving recovering from ACL surgery at the start of the season, Davis will serve as the focal point in the Mavericks’ offense, backed by D’Angelo Russell’s playmaking abilities. Even after Irving’s return, the offense is expected to continue flowing through Davis, underscoring his role as the team’s cornerstone. If Davis can maintain his health throughout the season, he stands as a serious contender for MVP honors and has the potential to lead Dallas deep into the playoffs, validating the bold roster changes that brought him to Texas.