Mark Cuban’s Commitment to Anthony Davis
Mark Cuban, a minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has confirmed that the team will not be looking to trade star player Anthony Davis, as reported by Joe Vardon of The Athletic. In a statement sent via email, Cuban emphasized the franchise’s commitment to winning, stating,
“We won’t. We want to try to win,”
when questioned about potential trades involving Davis.
Mavericks’ Struggles This Season
The Mavericks have faced a rocky start to the current season, recording a disappointing 4-11 record, which places them near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. This slow beginning, compounded by injuries and a lack of appealing trade assets, has led to rampant speculation regarding Davis’ future with the team. These discussions have been heightened in the wake of significant changes within the Mavericks’ management, including the recent firing of former general manager Nico Harrison, who was instrumental in the trade that brought Davis to Dallas from the Los Angeles Lakers last February.
Management Changes and Cuban’s Role
In the absence of a single general manager, Cuban has stepped up his involvement, effectively leading a “GM by committee” approach within the organization. Notably, in 2023, Cuban sold the majority of the team to the Adelson family for around $3.5 billion, and he now serves as a strategic advisor to Patrick Dumont, who oversees day-to-day operations for the Mavericks. It is Dumont who ultimately makes the final decisions regarding team operations, despite Cuban’s influential role.
Davis’ Injury Concerns
Cuban had previously expressed his disagreements with the trade that saw superstar Luka Dončić go to the Lakers, and he had been advocating for Harrison’s dismissal well before it occurred. Regarding Davis, his tenure with the Mavericks has been mixed as he has struggled to stay on the court; after suffering an adductor strain during his debut with the team last season, he only managed to play in nine games. This season has not been much more favorable, as Davis has participated in just five games, currently sidelined for the last ten due to a left calf strain. The Mavericks are being particularly cautious with his injury recovery, planning to re-evaluate his condition in a week to ten days.
Performance and Future Challenges
When he has been able to play, the seasoned 10-time All-Star has shown his capabilities, averaging 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are also dealing with the absence of point guard Kyrie Irving, who is recuperating from a torn ACL. This has led head coach Jason Kidd to explore using Cooper Flagg, this season’s No. 1 overall draft pick, at point guard; however, Flagg has now switched back to his primary forward position, where he has found success, averaging 15.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists over the first 15 games. The Mavericks’ upcoming challenge will be against the Knicks, where they will aim to turn their season around.
