Anthony Davis is unlikely to be moved before the deadline while he rehabs a left-hand injury, but trade interest in Naji Marshall and Daniel Gafford could shift Mavericks player-prop and rebound/block markets. Punters might favor Marshall overs if he stays; a late acquisition of an upgrade at center could push up opponent rebound and block totals and change live moneyline prices. Monitor late-deadline moves closely.
Anthony Davis Firmly Off Trade Market as Deadline Nears
Anthony Davis is considered unlikely to be on the move ahead of the NBA trade deadline as he continues to recover from a left-hand injury sustained in early January. He completed light on-court work before Saturday’s game but is not expected to return until late February at the earliest. The 10-time All-Star has missed more games (26) than he’s played (20) this season and will turn 33 in March. With a potential $62.8 million player option for 2027-28, Davis’ contract status and injury history temper trade demand.
Mavericks Fielding Interest in Naji Marshall and Daniel Gafford
Naji Marshall has emerged as one of the more sought-after role players on the market. The 28-year-old slashing forward is enjoying a career year, averaging 14.7 points with a 63.5 true-shooting percentage. His efficiency at the rim (converting roughly 74 percent) and strong mid-range touch (about 63 percent from 4–14 feet) underline his offensive value. Marshall is making $9 million this season and is owed $9.4 million next year, a manageable figure on the books that increases his trade appeal.
Daniel Gafford is also drawing interest from teams hunting an interior upgrade. The 27-year-old’s scoring has dipped to 7.6 points per game amid a nagging right-ankle sprain, down from 12.3 last season, but he remains a potent lob threat and interior rim protector when healthy. Gafford signed a three-year, $54 million extension last July that runs through 2028-29, and his defensive presence and athleticism keep him on multiple radars.
Front-Office Situation: Payroll, Picks and Urgency
The Mavericks enter the deadline in a position that pressures them to shed salary and recoup draft capital. Sitting 19-27 and 12th in the Western Conference, Dallas carries one of the league’s heftier payrolls and has limited future first- and second-round assets because of prior trades. Those roster and cap constraints make the club more likely to listen on movable contracts, but the front office has signaled it would demand significant return to part with players like Marshall.
On-Court Impact of Potential Moves
If Marshall remains, Dallas maintains a high-efficiency secondary scorer who can thrive around primary ball-handlers and create consistent shot-making in the paint and midrange. A Gafford departure or acquisition of a new center would materially change Dallas’ rebounding and rim-defense profile; adding an upgrade at center could improve interior defense and alter opponent shot selection, while losing Gafford could reduce lob opportunities and put more defensive strain on the wing.
Betting and Fantasy Implications
Bettors should expect limited immediate shake-ups to Dallas’ team moneyline until a late-deadline deal transpires, but player-prop and fantasy markets are most vulnerable. If Marshall stays, his scoring and efficiency support betting overs on points and efficient-scoring props. Conversely, trade chatter around Gafford makes rebounds and blocks markets volatile; an incoming center could suppress Gafford’s props and boost opponent big-man totals. Monitor final 24–48 hour trade activity for the clearest market-moving changes.
What to Watch in the Final Days
Key indicators to track in the run-up to the deadline: - Injury updates on Anthony Davis and Gafford’s right ankle. - Any concrete offers for Naji Marshall and Dallas’ willingness to accept. - Rumored centers linked to the Mavericks, which would signal a defensive/rotation shift. Late trades involving rotation pieces will produce the most immediate shifts in player props and short-term futures; bettors and fantasy managers should be ready to adjust exposure quickly.
Will the Mavericks make any big moves before the NBA trade deadline approaches?
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