Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[SleepingHero]

Davis might be one of the best centers in the league is a pretty problematic statement, imho. I think teams can have a ton of arguments to reduce his value. While he can be good, he is missing a lot of time due to injuries. He is also 33, which means a decline is more likely than improvement of his play and availability. He also wants to play PF, while he is obviously a center. Besides all of that, he is owed huge money for next two seasons and reportedly wants to sign an extension. He is paid like a number one, but I don't think he can be a number one - many issues constructing a contending roster under current CBA with such an expensive number two option. And finally, Mavs are probably better to trade him as soon as possible and build a contender around Flagg. Unless there is still hope that Mavs can be contenders with Irving and Davis in next season or two. 

Overall, Davis is a huge risk for any team. A very short term gamble for realistically just a couple of seasons. I wouldn't give up a fortune for such a player. If I am Chicago, I would not dream about becoming a contender with Davis (no matter what goes out in a trade in terms of players). I would rather patiently build around Buzelis and Giddey. In my opinion, a team that goes for Davis, would have to be pretty sure that he lifts them to contention level immediately. I only see teams like Detroit or SA in that category.

Calling Davis one of the best centers in the league is a problematic statement? Here is the list of the top 30 starting centers currently in the NBA:

• Porzingis
  
• Queta
  
• Claxton
  
• Kalkbrenner
  
• Vucevic 
  
• Jarret Allen
  
• Anthony Davis
  
• Jalen Duren
  
• Trace Jackson Davis (or Al Horford for the Warriors)
  
• Sengun
  
• Jay Huff
  
• Zubac
  
• Ayton
  
• Edey 
  
• Adebayo
  
• Myles Turner
  
• Gobert
  
• Derik Queen
  
• KAT
  
• Isaiah Hartenstein 
  
• WCJr
  
• Embiid
  
• Mark Williams
  
• Donovan Clingan
  
• Wemby
  
• Poetl 
  
• Nurkic
  
• Sarr
  

I can count 2 (maybe 3) guys that are better than AD on that list and two of them are also injury prone. He's a top 3 center. He has warts sure, and of course any team can talk themselves out of AD. Your critiques are valid. But that doesn't mean his value suddenly is worth nothing and that the Mavs are the ones that need to be desperate to move off of him. 

Chicago is a team that is happy to tread water and their GM is desperate for a win (https://chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2025/...ytime-soon) and have an internal directive from ownership to "fix" the roster. I can understand why a hometown hero like AD could be an attractive play for them given how bad they are inside and they just committed big money to Giddey. 

I agree with you. I think the Spurs and/or Detroit make more sense as a partner and that their stuff is more attractive. I've been drunk off the idea that the Spurs would somehow be open to trade AD for Dylan Harper straight up. 

But regardless, AD is a valuable asset even with his horrific injury history. And he should command 3+ FRP plus a young guy or two. Anything less is the Mavs selling themselves short.