Report: NBA execs believe Anthony Davis trade could change title race

There’s maybe no star player in the NBA more likely to be moved before the February trade deadline than Dallas Mavericks big man Anthony Davis. The tea leaves hint there’s a strong chance he gets moved, as he’s been connected to multiple Eastern Conference teams in trade rumors on top of the fact that he doesn’t fit Dallas’ winning timeline at 32 years old.

A trade is no guarantee, but executives around the league believe that if Davis does get moved at some point between now and the Feb. 5 deadline, it could shift the balance of power and alter the race for the 2026 title.

“A potential Davis trade is the one — outside of the Giannis [Antetokounmpo] situation — that executives believe could swing the title race the most if he were dealt to the right situation,” The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie wrote. “If he were to end up in the right place in the Eastern Conference, there is a real belief that he could turn that team into a serious favorite.”

For as much of an all-world talent Davis is, basketball is a team sport, and he won’t make just any team an instant title contender. But The Athletic lists the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks as the best fits for Davis, and some of those teams could be a player of Davis’ caliber away from competing for a championship.

The Pistons are the No. 1 seed in the East this season but could use some added veteran leadership, and that’s where Davis comes in. Elsewhere, Boston has fared surprisingly well behind a career year from star forward Jaylen Brown but is thin in the frontcourt.

Toronto is another talented team in the East that could use another piece to potentially reach the next level, and when it comes to the Hawks, they’re above .500 and may be interested in giving star guard Trae Young a big man like Davis.

However, if the Mavericks trade Davis before the deadline, they might have to move him for pennies on the dollar, as his trade value seemingly isn’t at its highest right now (at least in comparison to his on-court resume).

As has been the status quo for him in recent years, his 2025-26 season has been marred by an inability to stay on the floor. He’s played in just 12 games and less than half of Dallas’ schedule up to this point, though at least he’s been available lately. Davis suited up against the Pistons on Thursday, marking his sixth appearance of December, a good trend.

While it all depends on where Davis lands, if he’s in the right situation — such as Boston or Detroit — he seemingly could change the look of the title race in 2026 and the years to follow.