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The Atlanta Hawks’ reported interest in Anthony Davis could be complicated by the Dallas Mavericks’ desire to wait for the return of Kyrie Irving before deciding on the direction of the team.
NBA insider Marc Stein wrote Sunday that “the Mavericks have yet to see Flagg, Davis and Irving play together for one second and I’m told that new Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont is certainly among those in the organization who would prefer to see how that trio looks before doing something else drastic.”
Irving has yet to play since undergoing successful surgery on a torn left knee ACL last March.
The report comes after NBA insider Chris Haynes said Saturday the Hawks are “very intrigued” by a potential trade for Davis.
Stein described the Hawks as “a real-deal suitor for Davis.” He also noted the Golden State Warriors have had “internal discussions” about trading for Davis, but that there is “no realistic pathway” to acquiring him without parting ways with Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green.
He wrote that the money remaining on Davis’ contract, as well as his injury history, are concerns that “have thrust a measure of pause into Golden State’s deliberations.”
The Mavericks, who currently rank No. 12 in the Western Conference after a 12-21 start to the season, might have to consider any potential offers without having seen their core trio of Irving, Davis and Flagg play together.
Irving underwent surgery on March 26, months before Flagg’s NBA debut. He hit the nine-month mark, usually considered on the low end of the recovery timeline for ACL procedures, on Dec. 26.
It’s not yet clear if Irving will be back with the Mavericks by the Feb. 5 trade deadline, although ESPN’s Marc J. Spears reported in November that Irving was “working out with the purpose of playing this season.”
Spears said at the time an “optimistic” return timeline for Irving would see him returning to the court in “probably late January” or around the All-Star break from Feb. 13 to Feb. 15.
Davis is currently playing under a cap hit of $54 million. He becomes extension eligible this summer, although he is signed through next season with a player option for 2027-28.
Whether Dumont ultimately wants to wait for Irving’s return to evaluate the Mavericks’ current core could play a role in how seriously Dallas considers any potential offers from the Hawks.
Haynes named 2024 top draft pick Zaccharie Risacher as a player the Mavs might be interested in if the franchise ultimately considers moving Davis in exchange for young players and draft picks who can be used to build around Flagg.