And now we get to the part of picking out Nico Harrison’s spoils. Mavericks fans got what they wanted, the unpopular GM gone. Mavericks are entering a rebuild now by dismantling the decisions that made Harrison the most hated man in Dallas. First on the chopping block is Anthony Davis, who was reluctantly thrust into the most unwanted situation on February 2, 2025. Multiple analysts, including Zach Lowe, believe that sunny weather and beaches will do him good.

The favorite trade destination proposed for AD right now is Miami. The creativity in mock trades just for this move alone is limited. Considering Davis’ health struggles and inarguable talent, Dallas could either trade up or cut their losses. Going into the Heat Culture could also benefit The Brow in some ways.

Lowe is leaning towards it just for the biggest upside AD has. “If I’m the Heat, AD and Bam is an interesting fit. Obviously, team USA teammates. Defensively, they’d be awesome.” AD and Bam won gold with the 2024 Team USA Men’s Basketball squad too. There’s surely some great chemistry existing there.

AD, of course, is sidelined with a left calf strain and didn’t see many minutes since he was traded from the Lakers to Mavs. Miami Heat is currently recalibrating with Andrew Wiggins, Adebayo, and a healthy Norman Powell while Tyler Herro is still out for a few more weeks. Yesterday, the Heat beat the Cavs in an overtime win by executing a play that was four years in the making. Looking at the pace and chemistry already established, Lowe has some doubts.

“I don’t know how AD fits their offensive system that they’re running this year, just so fast, crazy off the dribble driving, just crazy number one in pace. But the talent is the talent.” There’s also the financial factor. “I do know Norman Powell fits the system well and is eligible for a contract extension and make much less than Anthony Davis and Andrew Wiggins is playing great.”

On the surface, AD and Dallas stand to benefit a little more with this mock trade. It’s on Miami to decide if they can afford an expensive but injured player.

The next challenge for the Dallas Mavericks is solving the Anthony Davis dilemma

The Dallas Mavericks’ 3-8 start ended Nico Harrison’s tenure here nine months after the Luka Doncic trade. The aftermath of his decision had no opportunity to show results. Anthony Davis, whose defensive abilities when healthy, was the primary goal of Harrison’s decision, is dealing with too many injuries to play at an optimum level. He’s played only 14 out of the 46 games since that trade, in fact.

Kyrie Irving was injured, Klay Thompson was injured and now weirdly unproductive. Cooper Flagg’s improving numbers aren’t translating into wins. Everything led to Patrick Dumont conceding to the ‘Fire Nico’ chants so they swiftly start the rebuilding phase.

Dallas’ next GM will have to tread carefully and not make the same mistakes Nico Harrison did. And that is not trading a Luka Doncic for an injured player.

Miami is just as careful with its trades and is unlikely to just trade down. A bleak scenario Zach Lowe pointed out. “Miami takes a look at everything. I don’t know if it’s a particularly enticing package if I’m the Mavericks. Again, I just don’t know where the crazy package is going to be,” is Lowe’s concern.

Anthony Davis holds a $62 million player option for 2027-28. His defensive counterpart in Miami, Norman Powell is closer to the end of a five year, $90 million deal. He is eligible to sign up to a four-year, $128.5 million extension. And he’s been carrying the Heat now that he’s recovered. The Heat might be more inclined to pay $20 million to Powell than get AD with no guarantee of when he’d be cleared to play.

Lowe might be suggesting something radical to go around that by possibly sending Kel’el Ware, Tyler Herro, and Terry Rozier – currently on unpaid leave while arraigned for illegal gambling allegations – to Dallas. He’s not even the only analyst who suggests pairing Herro with Cooper Flagg while Miami benefits from AD and Bam’s existing chemistry. If that works, we’ll soon find out. Because Dallas isn’t going to stay put.