On Tuesday, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that the two teams with the most interest in an Anthony Davis trade (subscription required) are the Atlanta Hawks and the Raptors. On a Bleacher Report livestream, Fischer said teams are looking to acquire AD as a "potential buy-low scenario." He speculated whether Atlanta could get away with sending Kristaps Porziņġis in a trade.
As of right now, it doesn't seem likely to happen, not after Fischer said that the Mavericks aren't "interested in just shedding Davis' contract." If Dallas does trade him, it will be only if it "brings back a return of real consequence." Fischer added that the Hawks can't construct the kind of package that would tempt the Mavericks.
Atlanta doesn't want to part with the 2026 first-round pick they received in the draft-night trade with the Pelicans, and for good reason. The front office definitely shouldn't want to lose it in a trade for Davis, who is 32 and has a lengthy injury history.
Trading for AD comes with risks of its own, which is why teams are only interested in trading for him in a buy-low scenario. If Dallas maintains its current stance on what it wants in a return package, then Davis will stay in Texas past the deadline.
Teams are looking at an Anthony Davis trade as a "buy-low scenario"
None of this means that Atlanta won't trade for Davis. As last year proved, truly anything can happen before the deadline.
The Hawks have popped up as a potential suitor for Davis for a reason, but there is a difference between expressing interest and actually moving forward with a deal. The Mavericks wouldn't come close to receiving what they lost in their trade for AD at the beginning of the year, but if they think they could get some significant return for him now, they'll be disappointed.
Not only is his injury history an issue, but he is eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million extension on Aug. 6. If Davis did become available before the deadline, before proceeding with a trade, a team would want commitment from him that he would extend with them. The question is, is there a team willing to pay him money like that?
Atlanta shouldn't be that team. The Hawks have their own issues with their starting center, Porziņġis, who has played only 13 games this season. Even if the Mavericks would accept KP in a trade for AD (and why would they?), it would be a temporary fix.
But hey, if the price is right, Atlanta could do it.