The Anthony Davis conversation in Dallas shifted the moment the franchise moved on from general manager Nico Harrison and leaned fully into a future built around No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg.

At 32, carrying a massive contract that runs at least two more seasons and includes a player option north of sixty million, Davis represents both a win now asset and a long term financial question.​

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Mavericks are open to exploring the market for their star big man, a stance rival executives have been expecting for weeks. Injuries remain a factor, with Davis already missing 15 games this season due to a calf strain, but his two way impact still makes him one of the most intriguing names ahead of the deadline.​

Detroit Pistons: The powerhouse play

Sitting atop the Eastern Conference with a 19–5 record, the Pistons are no longer a rebuilding curiosity but a legitimate threat looking for the final piece. Charania identified Detroit as one of the most aggressive potential suitors, seeing Davis as a player who could raise their ceiling from conference contender to championship favorite.​

Basketball wise, the fit is obvious. Detroit already boasts length, athleticism and young shot creation but lacks a veteran interior anchor with Davis’s combination of rim protection and post offense.

Adding him would give the Pistons a frontcourt capable of dictating terms in playoff series, provided they are willing to pay both the trade cost and looming extension decision.​

Raptors and Hawks: High upside swings

Toronto has quietly climbed into the top five in the East and has been specifically named as a serious Davis suitor. The Raptors have a history of making bold trades for stars in their prime and could pair Davis with a versatile wing core, creating a modern, switchable defense around his elite paint presence.​

Atlanta rounds out the trio, hovering just above .500 yet clearly one move away from rejoining the East’s upper tier. Flanking their dynamic perimeter guards with an all star caliber interior defender and scorer would balance the roster and relieve pressure on the backcourt, though the Hawks would likely need to part with significant picks and young talent to stay in the race.

For Dallas, that level of interest from three different profiles of contenders guarantees leverage as the franchise decides whether to commit to a Flagg-Davis timeline or cash in on one of the market’s rarest trade chips.