The Dallas Mavericks are about to kick off a rebuild, or at least they should. Even after trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in the ill-fated deal that got Nico Harrison fired, they do have a foundational piece to build around.
Putting Cooper Flagg front and center must be the priority in Dallas moving forward.
As a result of the upcoming youth movement in Dallas, Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson, and Kyrie Irving have all been included in trade rumors. The Lakers, meanwhile, are ready to go all-in on Doncic.
Who better to add back to the fold than Davis?
GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 15: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers embrace after a preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 15, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mavericks defeated the Lakers 121-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Mock Trade Sends Anthony Davis Back to Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers, with money tied up now in Doncic and LeBron James and with Austin Reaves’ upcoming free agency, don’t have as much flexibility as they might like, but their hands aren’t totally tied.
Doncic is at his best with an elite center to catch lobs and protect the rim. Gafford fits the bill, has a track record with Doncic, and is affordable. However, the Lakers aren’t known for doing things small.
Theoretically, they could make a deal to bring Davis back into the fold.
“Seeing as Davis is the main return that the Mavericks got for Doncic, they’ll likely have no interest in selling low on him,” wrote SB Nation’s Bryan Toporek on November 13th. “But if he can string together a stretch of healthy play and the Mavericks do begin shopping him, could the Lakers be legitimate bidders?
In order to match Davis’ $54.1 million salary, the Lakers would have to be willing to make massive sacrifices. James has a no-trade clause, although he could play a bigger role in Dallas with Flagg and Irving than he could in Los Angeles with Reaves and Doncic. Maybe he’d let a deal go through.
Full Mock Trade Details
- Dallas Mavericks receive: LeBron James, Adou Thiero (Lakers can offer pick swaps in ’26, ’28, ’30, and ’31, first-round pick in 2030, second-round pick in 2032)
- Los Angeles Lakers receive: Anthony Davis
Los Angeles Lakers Build New Big Three
Toporek also came up with various packages that feature sending Reaves to the Mavericks. However, there is a case to be made that Reaves is a better player than Davis, thanks in large part to his durability. The Lakers, as they build around Doncic, should have no interest in parting ways with Reaves unless they get draft capital and a comparable talent in return. The Mavericks, barring a Flagg deal, can’t offer that.
The Lakers would have to send some draft capital to make the deal worth it for the Mavericks. In this deal, Dallas is able to shed plenty of salary next summer and start a youth movement while giving Flagg an elite player to learn from for the rest of the season.
In Hollywood, meanwhile, the Lakers have everything they need to compete. A star trio of Reaves, Doncic, and Davis would dominate, and depth pieces like Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, and Jake LaRavia all complement that trio better than their current one.
If the Mavericks make Davis available, expect them to both be wary of the Lakers and also try to add as much draft capital as possible. The Lakers can be outbid, but there’s only one LeBron James.
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