Can Anthony Davis carry Dallas Mavericks until Kyrie Irving returns?

The trade of Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis was highly controversial, prompting threats of boycotts from Dallas Mavericks fans upset about losing the five-time first-team All-NBA performer for an aging veteran. Mavericks GM Nico Harrison defended the move, emphasizing a "defense wins championships" philosophy to strengthen the frontcourt and shift the team's focus towards stopping opponents rather than just scoring.

Despite the unpopularity, Anthony Davis brings a Hall of Fame pedigree as a 10-time All-Star, three-time block champion, 2020 NBA Champion, and five-time All-NBA performer. He was the first-overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, joining fellow top picks Kyrie Irving (2011) and Cooper Flagg (2025) in Dallas.

After the February 2nd trade, Davis was limited to just nine games for the Mavericks in the regular season due to an adductor strain. During those games, he averaged 20.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.2 blocks in 29.6 minutes per game. While his overall impact was less than Doncic's with the Lakers pre-playoffs, Davis delivered a strong final performance with 40 points and 9 rebounds in Dallas's 120-106 play-in loss to Memphis.

Entering the 2025-26 season, significant concerns exist for Dallas. The team needs Davis to be a superstar and primary scorer, as 20 points per game is deemed insufficient to replace Doncic's offensive production for a competitive team. A major worry is Davis's injury history; he played only 51 games last season and has never completed a full 82-game season in his 13-year career, playing over 70 games just three times. The front office hopes any absences will be limited enough for him to significantly impact the season.

Davis's pre-trade performance with the Lakers in 2024-25 (25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 blocks in 42 games) suggests he can still perform at an All-Star level. Dallas hopes he can play at least 65 games and be the leading scorer in 2025-26. However, the article warns that if Davis misses extended time, the Mavericks risk ending up in the draft lottery again.