While most people have paid more attention to the Los Angeles Lakers and Luka Doncic, former NBA player Kenny Smith hasn’t forgotten the other side of the deal. The Dallas Mavericks fulfilled their wish to improve their defensive tenacity over the weekend after trading for Anthony Davis. With a new big man on the team, Smith believes it has given the organization a window to contend for a title.
According to the two-time champion, the Mavs and Lakers won the deal. However, he believes that Dallas has a short-term window to success, given the All-Star’s age. Davis is 31 and is in the prime of his career.
“When you get AD, you are secure, I agree with Shaq,” Smith said. “You are secure for the next two, three years. It’s a parallel move and could be a positive move with AD.
“There’s nothing — there’s no drop off because AD is averaging over 26-27 points a game. Defensively, he impacts the game differently than Luka [Doncic]. He can impact the game at a higher level at the four.
"In the short term, Dallas is the best" 👀
Kenny breaks down what AD can offer to the Mavs on day one 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/TJgsHLUW45
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 7, 2025
“I think they’ve both gotten better but in the short term, Dallas is the best, I think.”
Nobody knows, though, how long Davis can remain fit and competitive. He sustained injuries while playing for the Lakers, but his physical condition has improved. AD had the most games he had ever played for Los Angeles last season, with 76.
This season, he’s on the path to having another healthy year. He’s played 42 games for the Lakers, averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. With that, he gives the Mavs a real fighting chance to be a title contender and return to the Finals.
When will Anthony Davis debut for the Mavericks?
Anthony Davis has been on the sidelines since Jan. 30 due to an abdominal strain. He suffered the injury in the Lakers’ 118-104 loss against the Philadelphia 76ers. The big man only had nine minutes of action and finished four points and two rebounds.
Since he’s been traded to the Mavs, however, he has not played a game because of his injury. On Thursday, NBA Insider Marc Stein reported that Davis will debut on Saturday against the defending champions, Boston Celtics.
“The expectation, I’m told, is that newly acquired Anthony Davis will make his Mavericks debut Saturday at home against Houston rather than tonight in Boston,” Stein reported.
The expectation, I'm told, is that newly acquired Anthony Davis will make his Mavericks debut Saturday at home against Houston rather than tonight in Boston.
More NBA from me: https://t.co/IIIlAlphrN
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 6, 2025
Anthony Davis is also expected to play against his former team on Feb. 25, the first time Dallas will welcome home Doncic.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
