The Dallas Mavericks have had to deal with countless injuries to Anthony Davis since they traded for him last season. Davis was traded to the Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic and Max Christie. It was a trade that got Nico Harrison fired as GM.
Last season, Davis only played nine games for the Mavericks after the trade happened. So far this year, Davis has only played 16 games. He has had various injuries in the two seasons, including a knee injury, a calf injury, and a groin injury.
On Christmas Day, Davis suffered yet another injury in a game against the Golden State Warriors. Dallas has now gotten word on how bad the injury is and how many games he will miss.
GettyDallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis looks to pass the ball. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Mavericks Get an Injury Update on Anthony Davis
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Davis has a minor groin strain. Davis will miss just a few games, which is the best news that the Mavs could have gotten. Instead of missing multiple weeks, he will only be out a handful of games.
Davis continues to be a thorn in the side of the Mavs. He can’t stay healthy enough to develop chemistry with rookie Cooper Flagg. With that being the case, and Harrison no longer involved in the organization, there have been rumors that Dallas could look to trade him.
There has been no indication that the Mavericks are entertaining offers for Davis at this point, but things could change at the trade deadline. At that point, the Mavs will know whether or not they are still candidates to make the play-in, or if they will be destined for the lottery.
Right now, Dallas sits 11th in the Western Conference standings. Kyrie Irving is still set to return to the team in a few months. That might end up being a determining factor in whether or not the Mavericks decide to unload him at the deadline.
GettyDallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis shoots the ball. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Anthony Davis Needs to Stay Healthy
If the Mavericks are going to get any value for Davis in return in a trade, Davis is going to have to prove he can stay healthy for more than a few games at a time. Staying healthy also could keep him on the roster, if they decide that Irving coming back would keep them in playoff contention.
This groin injury will put more pressure on Flagg. Flagg has the potential to be a future NBA superstar, but he doesn’t have teammates around him to help with the transition into the NBA. Dallas doesn’t have an established point guard, but Ryan Nembhard is starting to become that point guard.
How much longer Davis remains with the Mavericks will be determined by how much longer ownership is willing to deal with these absences. Right now, the Mavericks have the fourth-worst offense in the league. Until Davis can stay healthy, that number won’t improve much.
Mavericks Get Update on Latest Anthony Davis injury