NBA Trade Rumors: Anthony Davis Lands With Hometown Chicago Bulls in Proposed Blockbuster
The drama continues in Dallas this season. After the firing of GM Nico Harrison—the Man Who Traded Luka—the next shoe to drop is said to be the potential trading of Anthony Davis, the player he got in exchange for Doncic. Former majority owner Mark Cuban says they're not trading AD, but most others around the sport say it is still very much in the cards.
Of the primary landing spots that are making the rounds is Davis's hometown Chicago Bulls. In this proposed blockbuster from Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report, AD would get to the Windy City in this deal:
Chicago Bulls receive:
- Anthony Davis
Dallas Mavericks receive:
- Coby White
- Kevin Huerter
- Zach Collins
- 2030 first-round pick (top-three protected)
- 2031 first-round pick swap
As Buckley says, the return might not look like the kind of deal that would land a 10-time All-Star and 3-time Defensive Player of the Year. But Davis will be 33 later this season, and continues to be one of the most injury-prone players in the sport. He got injured in his first game with Dallas last season after the deadline, and played just nine games for them. This year, he's currently out after having played just five games.
And that's not to mention the fact that he's owed $112.6 million over the rest of this season and next year, while holding a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.
Mavericks would get Coby White in return package for Anthony Davis in proposed blockbuster
Nevertheless, the Mavs get a premium quality point guard in White. He's improved his scoring in each of the last four years. He missed the first month of the season, but is back in the lineup, and poured in 24 points with six assists in his most recent game. He averaged 20.4 points per game last season, while shooting 37% from three. Dallas gets a dynamic young point guard into the lineup while Kyrie Irving is out until the second half, and perhaps even allows them to move on from Irving as they go into a rebuild. White would also help elevate Cooper Flagg's game.
As for the Bulls, getting Davis into the fold offers a myriad of positive effects for its lineup, as Buckley notes:
"There is lots to like about his potential fit with Nikola Vučević, a true floor-spacing 5 who could use a defensive deterrent like Davis at his side. The Brow's finishing might also perk up Josh Giddey's playmaking and help Chicago guard against throwing too much too fast at 21-year-old swingman Matas Buzelis."
There will be plenty of Anthony Davis rumors as we get closer to the trade deadline, and we'll keep you posted on the latest.
Photo: © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
