It hasn’t even been a full year, but Anthony Davis has had a rollercoaster tenure with the Dallas Mavericks. As the centerpiece of the Luka Doncic trade, there were massive expectations placed on Davis to deliver.
Davis has battled a multitude of injuries that have only allowed him to play 17 games in a Mavs uniform. When he has played, he has been his usual self: one of the best two-way big men in the game.
However, with the firing of Nico Harrison last month, that signaled that Dallas might be looking for a full reset around Cooper Flagg. It has also been reported that the Mavs will work with Davis and his camp if the season continues its downward trend. If they were to move their star big man, one team should be at the front and center.
The Chicago Bulls should be the top suitor for Anthony Davis
The Bulls got off to a 6-0 start to the season, overwhelming their opponents with their fast-paced offense. Chicago has struggled mightily since, going 3-11 in their last 14 games, and the main issue has been getting stops.
The Bulls are currently 21st in defensive rating, and during the month of November, they were 23rd. They also allowed the third-most points per game at 126.3 and the third-most rebounds per game at 49.5. The paint has been a come-one, come-all affair.
Davis would help solve that issue. He is still a walking 20-point, 10-rebound performer and is still one of the better defensive players in the league. He’s averaging almost two blocks per game, and his addition would take less off the plate of Bulls center Nikola Vucevic.
Davis likely won’t command a huge trade package
The basketball fit is very enticing, as Davis would be the paint presence the Bulls have been lacking on both ends. It’s not all good news, though.
The concern with Davis is his health, specifically with his lower body. He isn’t getting any younger either, as he turns 33 in March. He also has a player option prior to the 2027-28 season, which is something Chicago also has to keep in mind.
Luckily for the Bulls, they have a nice mix of draft capital and young players to offer Dallas to acquire Davis’ services. It also helps that Davis is a Chicago native and has expressed a desire to play in his hometown. With Mavs management showing a willingness to accommodate him, this bodes well for the Bulls’ chances.
The East is wide open, and Chicago has shown they can hang. If the price is right, they should make the move to get Davis in order to make a playoff run out East.