The Mavericks entered the 2024-25 season with sky-high expectations. After falling short in the 2024 NBA Finals against the Celtics, fans were ready for another deep playoff run. Instead, the season spiraled into a nightmare. Everything started going downhill on Christmas Day when Luka Dončić suffered a calf injury, putting their title hopes in serious danger. Then came the gut punch—Dončić was traded to the Lakers. Anthony Davis, the centerpiece of the trade, was supposed to help Dallas stay competitive.Instead, he has played just one game, and now the Mavericks might sit him out for the rest of the season. You’d think the Mavs would want to tank the season now, after Kyrie Irving tore his ACL and is out for the season. Come back fresh next season. But you and me would both be wrong.
But Dallas isn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet. According to Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News, the Mavericks have no intention of shutting down Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, or Daniel Gafford. If they’re still in the mix for the play-in or playoffs and these guys get healthy, expect them back on the court.
Feb 8, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) and guard Klay Thompson (31) and forward P.J. Washington (25) and center Daniel Gafford (21) celebrates after Davis dunks the ball during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Because AD looked like he was itching to get back in action during Sunday’s Mavericks-Suns game, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Stuck on the bench, he seemed more than ready to play. Over the weekend, he took a big step in his recovery, playing 2-on-2 for the first time since straining his left adductor on February 8—his Dallas debut.
League sources told Stein that Davis isn’t the only one nearing a return. Dereck Lively, rehabbing a stress fracture in his right ankle, is also on track to be back before the season wraps up. As the Mavs hope to give it their all to make it to the playoffs, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps has a different idea.
He thinks they should move on now. Speaking on The Hoop Collective podcast, he didn’t hold back: “Anthony Davis should not be on the team next season. He should not be.”
Dallas wanted AD, and now they’re eager to get him back on the court. But Bontemps? He’s saying they’re better off flipping him for a massive trade package this summer. As crazy as it sounds, he insists it’s the only way to reset and build a genuine contender.
Since the 10x All-Star went down with a left adductor strain on Feb. 8, the Mavericks have gone 5-9 without him. His absence has been felt, but despite the rough stretch, Dallas (33-34) is still hanging onto the 10th seed—the final play-in spot in the West.
With 15 games left, they’re 2.5 games ahead of the 11th-place Suns, who are spiraling with a 3-7 record in their last ten. On top of that, Phoenix has one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league. If Dallas can hold the line, they might just survive the race for the postseason.
Or should they bet on the future?
Is the play-in spot worth it for the Mavs with injuries concerning Anthony Davis and others?
After a 126-116 road loss to the Spurs, the Mavericks now sit at 33-34 and have dropped eight of their last ten. Frankly, this season is turning into one of the biggest disappointments in Mavericks history. After high expectations built on the Dončić trade, injuries to stars like AD and Irving have wrecked the campaign. At this point, the best-case scenario might be to simply miss the Play-In Tournament.
Here’s the twist: Dallas owns first-round draft picks for this year and next, and this year’s pick is like striking gold. Tanking now could boost their odds in the draft lottery, especially with a loaded class on the horizon. Watching your team intentionally lose isn’t exactly a thrill—kind of like enduring a bad reboot of your favorite show—but sometimes it’s the smartest long-term strategy.
Feb 8, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) and guard Kyrie Irving (11) celebrates after Davis dunks the ball during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
If Dallas wants a fighting chance at the play-in, they’d need to get Davis, Lively II, and P.J. Washington back on the court. Yet, rushing injured players only risks more setbacks—Washington’s right ankle has been a nagging issue for weeks. And with Irving coming off an ACL tear and facing a player option, his future with the Mavericks is uncertain. With aging veterans and a roster unfit for a deep playoff run, building around a young, cost-controlled player might be the reset button they desperately need.
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