It hasn't even been a full week into the new NBA season, and the Dallas Mavericks already have an Anthony Davis problem that fans will hate. Davis has looked out of shape and less athletic than normal, resulting in a slow start for the Mavs' best player.
I’ve never seen Anthony Davis more fat and slow and out of shape and not able to get vertical than he currently is
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) October 25, 2025
He had 27 and 13 and 4 assists last night
Lively will probably never have a single 27-13-4 game in his entire career https://t.co/pqDzKHApd6
Considering the Mavs have a chance to make the playoffs less than a year after trading superstar Luka Doncic, they need Davis to be at the top of his game. However, that clearly isn't the case.
In his defense, Davis reportedly likes to work his way into shape after the start of the season, which explains him being heavier than normal. Then again, it seems like an odd strategy for a 33-year-old big man with a long history of injuries.
Anthony Davis' slow start could hurt the Mavericks' playoff chances
At some point coming into a season not in shape is bound to catch up with him, and perhaps this is that year. Davis was roundly criticized for his opening night performance against San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, who thoroughly outplayed him at both ends of the floor.
Victor Wembanyama is flat out embarrassing Anthony Davis these last few plays.
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) October 23, 2025
He did have a solid bounce-back game against the Toronto Raptors, dropping 27 points. Still, the Mavs can't afford for first overall pick Cooper Flagg to struggle as he learns a new position, wait for star Kyrie Irving to return in January, and also have Davis struggle too.
Anthony Davis is key to the Dallas Mavericks' plans
More likely, he is off to a slow start but will round into shape. Flagg will too, and the Mavs will be at least a .500 team until Irving returns. That, of course, assumes that Davis will be mostly healthy until then, and that is far from a guarantee.
Especially with him currently out of shape. It is also worth mentioning that the Mavericks may also want him to play well in the event of a potential trade. He is nearing the end of his time as a star in the NBA but could still fetch a big return in a trade. In that case, the Sacramento Kings would seemingly be the ideal landing spot, but only if Davis continues to play well.
All told, the Mavericks need Davis to help carry them while Flagg finds his footing and Irving ramps up ahead of his return. Thus far, the results have been mixed, with him working his way into shape, but Davis has the talent to play at an elite level.