When the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, the front office believed it was making a brave, necessary pivot. The organization leaned heavily into the idea that a defense-first identity would shape a new era, and Davis was meant to be the anchor of that vision.
Luka’s conditioning and habit questions, as well as defensive limitations, made the franchise believe it was safer to build around a two-way star. It was a bold stance, one that was supposed to reshape Dallas’ future.
Instead, only months later, the franchise is fighting for its credibility. Luka has become a superstar force in Los Angeles, the Lakers are surging, and Davis has missed significant time with injuries. The Mavericks have fallen toward the bottom of the Western Conference, frustration has grown inside the building, and the fan base has turned restless.
After parting ways with Nico Harrison, the franchise is in a position it never expected to reach so quickly: trying to win back supporters who no longer trust the long-term plan. That desperation has pushed Dallas into a corner where almost nothing can be ruled out.
The Mavs front office searching for immediate relief
The Mavericks need something that can shift the narrative. They need to convince their fans that the organization still has a plan and can still compete. The natural instinct for any front office in that situation is to explore dramatic moves.
The team that once traded for Davis to create a defensive identity is now evaluating every avenue that could restore momentum. In that context, even the possibility of sending Davis back to Los Angeles becomes part of the conversation.
Not because Dallas suddenly doubts his talent, but because the franchise needs a clean slate and a signal to the public that it is willing to make hard decisions. When the fan base loses faith, front offices often pursue bold moves simply to change direction, and the Mavericks have reached that threshold.
The combination of injuries, inconsistency, and roster imbalance has created a situation where Davis no longer represents the foundation the team thought it had. That disconnect leaves Dallas vulnerable to offers it would have ignored in healthier circumstances.
Why the Lakers are positioned to exploit this moment
Los Angeles is one of the few teams with flexibility, expiring contracts, and a clear identity centered around an MVP-caliber Luka. The organization also has a strong understanding of Davis’ value, what he looks like at his peak, and how to build a roster that maximizes his presence.
The Lakers have long been the environment where Davis has thrived. The team protected him physically, allowed him to share responsibilities with other bigs, and created a structure that supported longer stretches of health. Their 2020 championship run showcased that formula, with Davis, Dwight Howard, and JaVale McGee forming one of the most dominant frontcourt rotations in the league.
This year’s roster follows the same philosophy. DeAndre Ayton brings size and skill, but his play has fluctuated, and an early injury scare raised questions about reliability. The Lakers have always looked strongest when they can rotate several bigs through the paint, and Davis would instantly stabilize that group again.
The formula worked before and would only become more effective with Luka at the controls. In this scenario, Jaxson Hayes slides in as the third big, filling the role once held by Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee during the championship run.
With Dallas under pressure and Davis’ value dropping, Los Angeles can craft a package using its expiring contracts and a future first-round pick. That offer creates financial flexibility for Dallas and gives the organization a reset point at the end of the year. The inclusion of future pick swaps adds the type of long-term upside that rebuilding teams often seek when conditions shift unexpectedly.
A trade Dallas would never consider under normal circumstances
The idea of trading Davis back to the team that already benefited from the Luka deal would be unthinkable for most franchises. But the Mavericks are not operating under normal conditions. The internal desire to recapture momentum and restore trust has created a window where bold, reputation-altering moves are suddenly on the table.
The franchise is searching for a way to win the home base back, and the fastest way to change perception is often to make a move that resets expectations entirely. A trade like this would not solve all of Dallas’ issues, but it would signal a willingness to acknowledge the shortcomings of the past year and move forward without hesitation.
For the Lakers, that desperation opens a rare opportunity to strengthen their roster while weakening a Western Conference opponent. Few teams ever get a chance to benefit twice from the same trade tree. Los Angeles now stands in that position.
A move that reshapes the conference again
If the Lakers pursue Davis and Dallas agrees to explore the possibility, the trade would represent one of the most dramatic mid-season reversals in recent NBA memory. It would deepen the divide between two franchises moving in opposite directions and highlight how quickly fortunes can shift in the league.
For Dallas, the move would be about survival. For Los Angeles, it would be about exploiting a moment of vulnerability to reinforce a championship window built around a superstar they never should have had the chance to acquire. And make no mistake - other teams are already hunting for AD. It is a matter of time until AD is finally traded.