Anthony Davis Reportedly Expected to Seek Contract Extension If Traded by Mavs

Any team considering trading for Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis might need to be ready to offer him a new contract.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported Wednesday that "there is an expectation in some corners... that Davis and his representation at Klutch Sports will seek a contract extension from a new team if he indeed gets dealt."

Davis is currently playing on the first year of the three-year, $175 million deal he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers prior to last February's trade to Dallas.

The contract includes a $58.4 million cap hit for 2026-27 and a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.

Stein noted that the first year of any extension Davis signed would be worth more than $70 million.

The Mavericks are off to a 5-14 start to the 2025-26 season that has dropped the team to No. 14 in the Western Conference and raised questions about Davis' future with the franchise. ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported Nov. 19, shortly after the firing of former general manager Nico Harrison, that the Mavs are expected to "explore the trade market for Davis."

If the team ultimately decides to trade Davis less than one year after trading Luka Dončić for him, they would likely be looking for a return that will help the franchise build around Cooper Flagg going forward.

That could be difficult given both the financial commitment a trade partner would need to make to Davis as well as the 32-year-old's injury history.

Davis has been limited to just five games this season, and hasn't played since Oct. 29, as calf issues have impacted his availability for a second straight season.

ESPN's Tim Bontemps reported last week that the return for Davis would likely be similar to what the Phoenix Suns got in return for Kevin Durant, potentially netting the team players and draft picks but not multiple first-rounders.

Bontemps also noted that multiple of his sources "struggled to produce a deep list of suitors for Davis." The news that he is seeking a new deal that could pay him for than $70 million for his age-34 season could make it even more difficult for the Mavs to find a potential match.