Anthony Davis is one of the best players in the world, and seems ready to enjoy a mostly-healthy season with the Dallas Mavericks, even if he has to wear eye goggles.
Davis has long made it known that he prefers to play power forward next to a more traditional center. It makes sense. Pairing Davis with a center allows him to roam on defense, space the floor on offense, and preserve his body with fewer rebounds to battle for.
On paper, Davis should thrive next to Daniel Gafford or Dereck Lively II next to him in the frontcourt, although Davis’ unwillingness to make sacrifices for his team has come back to bite him in the past.
GettyMEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – APRIL 18: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of the Play-In Tournament at FedExForum on April 18, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Mavericks Will Get Most Out of Davis If He’s Unhappy
Davis likes playing power forward. In fact, he’s so good at it that occasionally people on social media will declare him better than Tim Duncan.
However, Davis is at his best when playing center, not power forward. To him, that doesn’t seem to matter too much.
“Anthony Davis is going to start at power forward, and then it’s going to be one of Lively or Gafford,” predicted The Athletic’s Christian Clark on the October 1st episode of NBA Daily.
During his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, he shared the frontcourt with Marc Gasol, JaVale McGee, and Dwight Howard. Once they all left town, he urged ownership to trade for a center, despite his talents as a big man.
In Dallas, Davis will play a key role in a monster defensive lineup, although their offensive versatility remains questionable.
“He’s getting what he wants in Dallas,” Clark outlined. The Mavericks have two true centers. So how is that going to look, you know, offensively, defensively? I think it’s going to be awesome…how is that going to look offensively with AD playing the majority of his minutes at the four?”
In order for Dallas to get the best out of Davis, he should remain their starting center, which would make Gafford expendable in trade talks later this season.
GettyMEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – APRIL 18: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of the Play-In Tournament at FedExForum on April 18, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Victor Wembanyama Will Find Success Over Davis
When he was drafted first overall by the San Antonio Spurs in 2023, Victor Wembanayma was similar to Davis. He wanted to play power forward, and the Spurs obliged, starting Zach Collins next to him.
The Spurs quickly realized that Wembanyama is at his best as the sole big man, and Collins was relegated to the bench. At the 2024 Olympics, the French National Team was faced with the same quandary, and Rudy Gobert ended up on the second unit.
“I’m ready to get any role and play any position, especially with our offense,” Wembanyama said during his rookie season. “The position really doesn’t matter.”
Wembanyama and the Spurs are simply better when Wemby is the only big on the court. The same could be said for Davis.
Four of Davis’s five best seasons, measuring VORP, came when he was the center, not power forward. All of Davis’s five best seasons, measuring PER, came with him playing center. His single worst season was the 2021-22 campaign, where he played next to Marc Gasol, a more traditional center.
The Lakers missed the playoffs that season.
In order for the Mavericks to maximize spacing and team success, Jason Kidd will have to talk Davis into playing center. He’s long made it clear that he doesn’t want to, but with both Wembanyama and Alperen Sengun willing to take on the challenge, perhaps his tone will change.
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