Anthony Davis Faces Uncertain Future as Mavs Ready to Follow Lakers Decision – Reports

A summer full of possibilities. This seems like the perfect description of the Dallas Mavericks. First, they took the boldest step of trading Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers. In return, they got Anthony Davis. Interestingly enough, AD has barely played a game with the Mavs. Just 9. Injuries have been an eyesore for the NBA champ, and yet, there’s hope he’ll pair up with Cooper Flagg this coming season. However, this time, it will be more of a fight for survival, a hunger for the future than ever before.

You see, AD has taken some rigorous measures in his recovery journey this offseason. He recently made a comeback to the floor months after undergoing eye surgery. Reports say Davis’s return for the practice signals that the All-Star is nearing clearance for preseason action. However, Dallas may soon jeopardize his tenure since he isn’t yet eligible for a contract extension.

Zach Lowe disclosed this fact on The Bill Simmons Show. Lowe mentioned, “AD is not eligible now. Next summer he is. And I think that becomes one of the most interesting extension cases in the NBA. How do you extend Anthony Davis at age 33 or 32, whatever he’s going to be?” Moreover, “coming off a $54 million contract, going into a $58.5 million contract? That’s hard, that’s a big, big decision for the team that didn’t want to pay Luka the supermax. That’s one of the reasons they got out of the Luka business. It’s just too much money. So, what’s AD’s next contract going to be?”

Apr 18, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) reacts during the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks’ gamble of shipping Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis and company continues to look disastrous. Meanwhile, the math alone stings. Doncic just secured a three-year $165 million extension running through 2027-28. Meanwhile, Davis will pocket $186 million over the same stretch. That is a $21 million gap or $7 million more per season. Moreover, the irony here is that Dallas once hesitated on paying big for Luka.

Besides, Mavericks voice Kirk Henderson called out Nico Harrison for trading Luka in the dead of night for a 32-year-old with abdominal and eye issues who matched Kristaps Porzingis in games played over five years. Ouch. Now, Doncic runs the Lakers. They build around him and even consult him over LeBron James. His path looks secure. But Dallas? Their future is suddenly a giant question mark.

More so, for Anthony Davis, who went through similar drills with the Los Angeles Lakers. Age and injury risks were crucial factors then as well. And of course, the second apron that was breathing down Rob Pelinka’s shoulder. But, given that AD remains one of the best big men in the league, are teams treating his relevance unfairly?

Anthony Davis could be standing on a similar edge as he did with the Lakers in Dallas

Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports revealed in February 2025, right after the Luka-AD swap, that the Lakers had no plans to extend Anthony Davis next season despite his eligibility. His current deal runs through 2026-27 with a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. On paper, the logic tracks. He turned 32 in March, and durability has defined his story. Since 2017-18, he topped 62 games only once.

Still, the equation was never about talent. Davis remains one of the league’s premier big men, but availability matters. The Lakers’ front office faced a clear choice. Either tie long-term money to a player with recurring concerns or pivot toward the future. Trading him for Luka Doncic at (then) 25 years old offered an escape hatch. If extensions felt risky, acquiring Luka looked irresistible.

Image Credits: IMAGN

Now coming back to Dallas, the Mavericks face a tricky financial maze that makes extending Anthony Davis in 2027 highly unlikely. With their payroll projected around $3.9 million below the Second Apron and $16 million above the Tax Level, committing $58.5 million for 2026-27 plus a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28 could shatter flexibility. Luxury tax penalties, limited trade options, and the need to invest in young talent make locking in Davis risky.

Dallas is dancing on the edge of a high-stakes gamble. Anthony Davis brings star power, but injuries and age hang over every move. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic thrives across town, making the Mavericks’ decision look sharper in hindsight. With salary restrictions and future flexibility looming, Dallas must balance ambition with caution. One wrong step could echo for years. The question remains: will boldness or pragmatism win?

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