Anthony Davis took challenge with ESPN’s report that his hand damage would require surgical procedure. He was vindicated when a second physician decided the Dallas Mavericks massive man might be re-evaluated in six weeks.
Shams Charania corrected his earlier report that Davis was “more likely to endure surgical procedure” which might maintain him out for months. In response to the second opinion from AD’s new physician, he can keep away from surgical procedure and see how the hand appears in March — although that is long gone the commerce deadline.
The Mavericks might shoot for the play-in with Anthony Davis accessible
Dallas is 15-25, a .375 win proportion that’s nonetheless solely 2.5 video games out of the ultimate play-in spot within the Western Convention. They’re in twelfth, one recreation behind the surging Los Angeles Clippers, who’ve received 10 of their final 12 video games. However the Tenth-place Memphis Grizzlies might commerce star Ja Morant, and the Ninth-place Portland Path Blazers are beneath .500.
The Mavericks may favor to commerce Davis and tank for a greater lottery choose, since this summer time is the one time they do not owe their first-round choose to a different workforce till 2031, both outright or in a swap. They’ve already misplaced Dante Exum and Dereck Vigorous II for the season and Kyrie Irving might not return from final season’s ACL tear.
However the success of rookie Cooper Flagg (19.1 factors per recreation) might forestall the Mavericks from being unhealthy sufficient to get a high choose, although they did transfer as much as the No. 1 choose final 12 months. If they will ‘t be all that unhealthy, why not attempt to make the playoffs with a returning, well-rested Davis?
A workforce just like the Atlanta Hawks might nonetheless commerce for Anthony Davis
It’s extremely tough to make a significant commerce within the NBA with out a participant passing a bodily examination, one that might be tough for Davis to do whereas out till March. Nevertheless, any workforce buying and selling for Davis and his extensive injury history doubtless has no illusions in regards to the size of his medical information.
That is why suitors just like the Atlanta Hawks may nonetheless deal for an injured Davis, particularly if he might theoretically be again for the playoffs. The Hawks dumped loads of future wage by buying and selling Trae Younger to the Washington Wizards, however they doubtless improved within the short-term by including CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, since Younger stays injured.
They’ve incentive to make a transfer now whereas they’ve the expiring contract of Kristaps Porzingis, a giant man who has suited up for 3 fewer video games than Davis this season. Given KP’s unavailability, they may simply make a commerce now, and get Davis on board for the following two seasons. If he is accessible in six weeks for the Hawks’ personal play-in or playoff push — they’re in Ninth place, 2.5 video games out of sixth — that is only a bonus.
In any case, even with ligament injury, Davis’ hand might nonetheless be one of many more healthy components of his physique. A rested Davis returning in mid-March, having performed solely 20 video games, might be a game-changing power.
Davis acquired a second opinion. Now the Anthony Davis suitors might change their opinion about buying and selling for him, too.
