Institutions are not surprised by Davis transfer to the Mavericks

According to the deal sent by US media Davis to the Mavericks, the NBA world shocked, but according to ESPN's Zach Lowe, it may have been brewing longer than anyone realizes. In the recent episode of The Labour Post , the veteran insider shared that Davis’ transfer to Dallas is not a dramatic source behind the scenes, even for Klutch Sports, an agency representing Davis and James.

"I don't even think Cruge is angry about Anthony Davis going to Dallas," Lowe said. "AD and Harrison have been close for a long time. I think it's within their long-term focus anyway." It's been a few months since the big deal and we're still finding new details on how this is going. Surprisingly, when the entire league was caught off guard, Davis had been turning his eyes to the Mavericks for years, and he could end there naturally in 2027 as a free agent.

Of course, the Mavericks don't have to wait that long. The seeds were planted when General Manager Harrison started a conversation with the Lakers about the new team core after Doncic trade. As a former Nike executive, he has established relationships with many NBA players, including Davis, who has signed exclusive, long-term endorsement agreements with the company.

After working to build their culture from within, Nico knew what his team needed and aimed at Anthony Davis to take the team to the next level. Due to his competitiveness and work ethics, the Mavericks believe that he has enough talent, leadership and championship experience to get them back to the championship battle. Early returns are mixed.

While Davis dominated the court last season (24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game), he played only nine games for Dallas before missing out on his debut due to an adductor strain. He did eventually return in the final stages of the season, but it was too late for the Mavericks to have a lasting playoff.

While Davis's initial performance at the Mavericks didn't go exactly as planned, both he and Klutch Sports seem to be optimistic about where things are going. With a few years left for the 32-year-old former No. 1 pick, Dallas offers a situation where he is surrounded by familiar faces, including Nico Harrison, Kyrie Irving and rising genius Cooper Flag. After a full offseason regrouping and recovery, Davis will be healthy, aggressive and ready to lead the 2025-26 season. If he can stay on the court and help build a strong culture in Dallas, the Mavericks’ gambling could be rewarded significantly, especially if it matches the chemistry of Flag and Irving.

In addition to his influence on the court, Davis also brought the credibility and veteran style that the Mavericks lacked since the days of Dirk Nowitzki. His voice, championship bloodline and two-way dominance in the locker room are exactly what this team needs when trying to create a new identity after Luca. If Davis took over the mantle in Dallas, it could be a decisive chapter in his career and a moment for the Mavericks to finally turn things around.