Anthony Davis’ trade drama escalates as his agent pushes Dallas for a quick exit

The NBA rumor mill has just shifted into overdrive with Anthony Davis’ trade saga. According to bombshell reports from ESPN, Rich Paul, the high-powered CEO of Klutch Sports, has reportedly delivered a clear ultimatum to the Mavericks.

While the February 5th deadline is looming, Paul is reportedly pushing for an immediate resolution to get the 10-time All-Star out of the Big D by next week.The timing couldn’t be more chaotic as the Mavericks are struggling in the West. They are currently at 12th place with a 19-26 record and a 14-11 at home. Davis got sidelined with left hand ligament injury against the Utah Jazz on January 8th and has been reported to remain out through February.

For the Mavs front office and fans, Davis’ underperformance remains a sore subject, and this trade demand by Rich Paul feels like the messy climax to a star experiment that didn’t pay off even after trading Luka Doncic.

Anthony Davis’ agent Rich Paul gives the Mavs an ultimatum

When the Dallas Mavericks acquired Davis back in early 2025 in exchange for sending their star player, Luka Doncic, two things happened. First came the fan outrage with “fire Nico” chants at every game.

Second was the sky-high expectations from the 2024 Olympic Gold medalist. ’The vision was to build a dominant roster with Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and rookie phenom Cooper Flagg, turning the Mavs into immediate contenders. But what instead unfolded was Davis’ series of injuries. He just appeared in 20 games this season and averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.

“It is very clear that Rich Paul, who represents Anthony Davis, wants Anthony Davis traded before the deadline,” MacMahon reported on The Hoop Collective earlier this month. “He believes it’s in his best business interest, because he has taken a ‘Well, we’ll see’ from the Mavericks regarding an extension as a ‘no.’”

Mavs’ Flagg factor and a bench in turmoil

Despite all the drama, Mavericks’ Copper factor is working its magic on the court. The rookie sensation is averaging 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 47.7% from the field. But a lone man can’t run the show. With Kyrie Irving still recovering from ACL surgery, the Mavericks' roster is thin and too much for a 19-year-old to carry. Patrick Dumont isn't backing down easily. Insiders claim the team has no intention of being bullied into a bad deal. They want a haul of draft picks and young talent, not just a salary dump. Whether it’s a late-night deal with the Hawks or a blockbuster with the Raptors, the next seven days will determine if Dallas is building for the future or simply stuck in the mud.